Michelle Sinead Connor is a character in Coronation Street who first appeared in Ep 6262/6263 - 3 Apr 2006. She is played by ex Hear Say band member Kym Marsh (Later Ryder and Lomas).
In later years she became somewhat of a villain due to her psychological and sometimes physical abuse towards Steve McDonald during their on-off relationship, which would be the basis for a dark gritty soap plot under any other situation. Although writers downplayed the behaviour as banter due to Michelle's popularity with the viewing audience.
Biography[]
Backstory[]
Michelle Sinead Connor was born on the 21st April 1976, the youngest of 3 children to Barry Connor and Helen Connor. She was their first daughter as the previous two were boys Paul Connor and Liam Connor.
2006-2011[]
Michelle was a glamour girl at a contest. In August 2006 she got a job at The Rovers Return, Coronation Street and flirted with Vernon Tomlin.
Michelle and Steve entered into a relationship, but split up at the beginning of 2009 due to his affair with Becky Granger, who he later married. Despite her bitterness towards him, the pair of them eventually became friendly and she continued working at the Rovers Return. Following Steve's failed marriages to Becky and Tracy Barlow, he reconciled with Michelle after her split from Ciaran McCarthy.
2012-2019[]
In late 2012 Michelle began having problems with her son Ryan, who returned after two years at university only for it to turn out he was using cocaine. Worse of all, Tracy began a relationship with Ryan in a way to get back at Steve and try and wind up Michelle. Ryan eventually dumped Tracy when realising she was just using him.
When Michelle felt she wasn't getting anywhere working at the factory for Carla, Steve decided to surprise her by buying the Rovers Return for her. Michelle was angry as Steve went behind her back, but eventually softened up to the idea, only for her to realise his mother Liz was the owner as she helped Steve buy it.
In late 2014 Steve began to develop depression, although didn't like anyone know his problems and became dismissive towards Michelle. The pair of them split and she got with another bloke, however after he ended up in a minibus accident she realised there was something wrong. The pair of them reconciled and married that year.
In late 2015 Steve left for Spain to see his brother Andy, leaving Michelle to run the pub with Liz as well as running her wedding planning business. In early 2016 one of Michelle's clients happened to be an old romance from her teenage years by the name of Will Chatterton. The pair of them caught up after so many years and it was clear to them there was still a spark. When Will's fiancée went way on a business trip Michelle spent more time with him, as she felt lonely due to Steve's long absence. After finding out Steve wasn't returning on the date he said he was, she got fed up and went to Will's house with the plan to sleep with him. When nearly doing the deed, she had second thoughts and left. Upon returning home, she found Steve had returned after all and the pair embraced.
Michelle found out that Steve slept with her best friend Leanne Battersby after a row he had with her. They split up and she sought comfort in Robert Preston.
She moved to Ireland in December 2019 after 13 years living on the street.
After 2019[]
Following Ryan being involved in an acid attack in March 2023 Michelle was unable to visit him due to having to undergo an operation. Ryan was okay with it as he wasn't wanting any visitors due to his current state.
After Ryan developed sepsis in May 2023 Carla revealed to him she recently spoke to Michelle and promised her she would keep an eye on him.
Background information[]
- Michelle was the first member of the Connor clan to be introduced, originally appearing as a guest character in April 2006. Kym Marsh returned to the role full-time in August 2006, with members of Michelle's family being introduced which included her son Ryan Connor, brothers Liam and Paul, and then sister-in-law Carla Connor a few months later.
- Michelle was absent between January to November 2011 due to Marsh taking maternity leave.
- Marsh quit the role in 2019 after thirteen years, with Michelle departing in December 2019.
- In the aftermath of the Ryan Connor acid attack storyline, Marsh stated in an interview in April 2023 that she currently has no plans to return to the show anytime soon.
Appendices[]
List of addresses[]
| Address | Duration |
|---|---|
| Ireland | 27th December 2019 to present |
Employment history[]
| Role | Institution | Duration |
|---|
Memorable info[]
Appearances: 3-9 Apr 2006, 13 Aug 2006-24 Jan 2011, 3 Nov 2011-27 Dec 2019
Born: 21st April 1976
Full Name: Michelle Connor
Parents: Barry Connor and Helen Connor
Siblings: Paul Connor, Liam Connor
Spouse: Steve McDonald (2015-2017)
Children: Alex Neeson (biological), Ryan Connor (legal son), Ruairi McDonald (stillborn)