For Peter's Sake!
Waving goodbye (for now) to Corrie's Peter Barlow
In December 2023, actor Chris Gascoyne exits the hit UK soap Coronation Street after 23 years of portraying Weatherfield's resident bad boy, recovering alcoholic Lothario, Peter Barlow. One of the show's most complex characters, our researchers (like viewers) vacillated between cheering him on and wanting to whack him across his legs with a wooden spoon. Here are Acumen's favorite Chris Gascoyne scenes
01 Peter, the Son
Peter Barlow's relationship with his father, Ken, has been remarkably loving and troubling. Marked by abandonment, alcoholism, resentment, and guilt, the Barlow men have anchored one another through some of the greatest trials of their lives. This scene from October 2008 is among the most powerful of Gascoyne with William Roache and one of our favorites.
03 Peter, the Fighter
Peter Barlow believed in coming to the rescue and loved a good fight. He's decked quite a few over the years, but no one as much as arch-rival, Nick Tilsley. This scene from December 2016 where Nick is convinced Peter wants to rekindle a romance with his ex-wife Leanne is one of our favorites.
05 Peter, Recovering
Peter battled alcoholism almost from the moment he entered the Street. Heartbreaking and nail-biting for audiences, Gascoyne gave us one of the most authentic examinations of recovery in television history. In this scene from 2019, Peter falls off the wagon when he fears a missing Carla is dead.
02 Peter, the Dad
From the moment Simon Barlow was committed to Peter's care, it was a challenge. Over the years we watched Peter grow into the role of father -- unwillingly at first, but always honest about his shortcomings and occasional feelings of inadequacy. While he has nearly killed Simon in a fire, and left him with all and sundry for stays in prison, the Caribbean, and Portsmouth, Peter does love Simon. One of our favorite scenes of Peter, as a Dad, was this one from December 2008.
04 Peter, the Lover
Very few women on the cobbles have sidestepped the passions of Peter Barlow. A true lover of women, Peter was committed bigamy in 2005, marrying Lucy and Shelley, and found it near-to-impossible to stay faithful to any woman he dated (or married). In this scene from 2013, Peter volleys his attention between his wife Carla and lover, Tina.
06 Peter & Carla
Gascoyne's exit brings to a (temporary?) close hard-fought relationship between Peter & Carla Barlow. While it is unclear what the end looks like, the beginning is hard to forget. #Carter began with a drunk driving arrest, an engagement party, and a crush reveal. For more on their relationship, see our research & talks.
The 'Forever Love' of Carla & Peter
ACUMEN'S EUGENICS RESEARCH EASILY BROUGHT CORONATION STREET ACTORS ALISON KING AND CHRIS GASCOYNE INTO THE FRAME FOR THEIR PORTRAYALS OF CARLA CONNOR AND PETER BARLOW. CLICK THE ICON BELOW FOR A BRIEF OF OUR 2018 CONTENT ANALYSES AND INTERVIEWS AND WATCH THE ACUMEN CORRIE TALK "THE FOREVER LOVE OF CARLA & PETER" .
