Andy McDonald was a character in Coronation Street who first appeared in Ep 3001 - 6 Dec 1989 alongside his parents and and twin brother Steve McDonald. He departed in 1997, and made guest returns in 2000, 2004 and 2009. He was played by Nicholas Cochrane.
Biography[]
Backstory[]
1989-1997[]
Andy McDonald and his brother Steve arrived in Coronation Street in late 1989. They both caused a bit of havoc. In 1992, Andy met uni student Paula Maxwell. The broke up in November 1992.
Andy settled down and got a job at Bettabuys Supermarket. While there in 1993, Andy started dating colleague Amy Nelson. She was several years older than him. They were both smitten with one another and planned to get married. However, in October 1993 she flew to visit relatives in Trinidad and she also reconciled with Errol, the father of her son Dominic. Amy felt she was doing Andy a favour by finishing with him as she wanted him to go back to uni and concentrate on his studies. In November 1993, Amy's mother Kathleen Nelson flew back alone from Trinidad to tell Andy that Amy had decided to stay in Trinidad, and to return their engagement ring. Kathleen did not tell Andy the real reason why she stayed in Trinidad. Not knowing the real reason why Amy stayed in Trinidad, Andy wanted to fly out to Trinidad and bring Amy back to England with him but her friend Alison Rathbone told Andy that while out in Trinidad, Amy had reconciled with Errol, the father of her son Dominic. Andy was disappointed but admitted defeat and accepted that him and Amy were over. Andy knew he had to face questions from his workmates at the supermarket so scrawled "She's Dumped Me" on the whiteboard in the staff canteen. Andy soon forgot Amy and moved on with his life. He went back to university.
In August 1994, Andy met up with Paula Maxwell again. She wanted a relationship but Andy was not ready yet. He said a lot of water ran under the bridge since they last dated, and she does not know the half of it. He says he does not want anything serious as he had all that, referring to his time with Amy Nelson a year earlier. Paula was peeved at Andy's rejection. Andy and Paula later slept together but parted ways for good soon after.
In June 1995, Andy and Steve celebrated their 21st birthdays.
1997: Andy leaves the street.
Andy worked as a barman at the Rovers for a while. In November 1997, Andy graduated from uni and decided to leave Weatherfield, where he moved to Spain to teach out there.
2000-2009: Visits[]
Andy returned in 2000 when his father was up for the manslaughter of Jez Quigley in which Jim was sent down for eight-years. He was present when his mother Liz McDonald married Jim for the second time.
Four-years later Andy returned for his brother's second wedding to Karen McDonald.
Four years later in 2009, he returned for yet another wedding of Steve's, this time to Becky Granger, although the reception was later raided by police who found drugs on the premises, which were suspected to belong to Becky (in actuality her ex Neil "Slug" Ackroyd planted them there for the corrupt DC Hooch). Andy stuck around for a few days before eventually returning to Spain. Before getting into a taxi he advised Steve to make this marriage last longer, and jokingly said he couldn't afford the presents. Andy and his father then left the street in the taxi together.
Since 2009[]
Andy has not visited Coronation Street since 2009 when Steve married Becky.
In 2011 Andy was visiting Bristol and Steve joined him to celebrate their birthday together. That same year Liz flew over to stay with him in Spain, although she returned to Weatherfield in 2013. In 2014 Liz phoned Andy to wish him a happy 40th birthday. In 2015 Steve flew over to Spain when he believed his mother Liz had forgiven her cheating ex-boyfriend Tony Stewart and was getting back with him, however this was to simply get back Steve's half of the pub Tony conned.
Andy did not return for Steve's marriage to Michelle Connor in 2015 and two marriages to Tracy Barlow in 2012 and 2018 respectively, presumably giving up with spending money on wedding gifts.
In 2020 Liz moved to Spain permanently to be with Andy.
Notes[]
- Andy is mostly used as an excuse to explain the absences of Steve McDonald and Liz McDonald whenever they take a break from the show or are absent for a short period of time.
- Andy was written out in 1997 after being one of several characters axed by new producer Brian Park. He would later return for guest stints in 2000, 2004 and 2009.
- In 2020, Nicholas Cochrane expressed an interest in returning back to Corrie, and hoped that the producers won't recast Andy in the future.
Appendices[]
List of addresses[]
| Address | Duration |
|---|---|
| Barcelona, Spain | 12th November 1997 to present |
Employment history[]
| Role | Institution | Duration |
|---|
Memorable Info[]
Appearances: 6 Dec 1989-12 Nov 1997, 26 Nov-3 Dec 2000, 13-20 Feb 2004, 14-20 Aug 2009
Born: 26th June 1974
Full Name: Andrew McDonald
Parents: Jim McDonald and Liz McDonald
Siblings: Steve McDonald, Katie McDonald
Grandfathers Edward McDonald, George Greenwood
Grandmothers Maisie McDonald, Nancy Greenwood
Great Grandfathers: James McDonald
Aunts: Eileen McDonald
Uncles: Colin
Gallery[]
