Lucy Collins

Lucy Collins is a character in Brookside portrayed by Katrin Cartlidge and later Maggie Saunders.^[1] The character appeared in the programme from the first episode in November 1982 until June 1990 when Doreen Sloane's death brought about the Collins family being written out in 1990.

Collins family

The Collins family moved into Brookside Close during the first episode, having bought Number 8. From the start, there was conflict between the middle-class Collins family and the working-class Grants; in fact, the conflict between the families provided much of the early storylines. Upon arrival at Number 8, they found house had been vandalised by Damon Grant and his friends, and somebody had stolen the toilet. An indignant Paul confronted Bobby Grant, accusing Damon of being the toilet thief. Damon admitted to the vandalism, but denied stealing the toilet.

Unlike the Grant family, who had come from a run-down council estate to live on Brookside Close, the Collins family had previously lived in a large, comfortable house on The Wirral, but were forced to downsize to something much smaller after Paul was made redundant. In the early days of Brookside, Paul was unemployed and storylines centred on the family's struggle to cope with their new humbler surroundings and financial hardship, along with Paul's discomfort at having to sign-on alongside people he once looked down on. Lucy resented her father for their reduced circumstances, especially after she was forced to swap her public school for the local comprehensive, where her posh accent and privileged background saw her become the victim of bullying. Eventually Paul found another job, and the family's financial situation improved for a while. However, in 1986 he was again made redundant. This time he decided to take early retirement rather than face the humiliation of having to sign-on again.^[2]

Character

Early episodes

Early on Lucy was portrayed as a sullen character who resented her father for losing his job. She was close friends with brother Gordon, although she resented the fact that her father allowed him to stay on at public school as it was considered more important for a boy to have a good education. Lucy found herself bullied at her new comprehensive school and ended up attacking her tormentors with a hockey stick.

Lucy Collins contrasted with her counterpart in the Grant household Karen. Unlike Karen, Lucy was straight-laced and conventional. Lucy was one of several politicised characters on the programme, being anti-American, pro-Soviet, and anti-nuclear.

Later episodes

Lucy soon shed her meek and sullen attitude and started rebelling much to the dismay of her parents. In 1983 she becomes involved with the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, she then leaves for France. After returning she starts an affair with a married man and later with Barry Grant.

Departure

Lucy Collins was written out of the programme in 1990 after Doreen Sloane (Annabelle Collins) died of cancer. In 1990 the Dixon family were introduced and later moved into the Collins house.

References