Brian Packham was the headteacher at Bessie Street Primary and the partner of Julie Carp. He was also the teaching colleague of John Stape (who was masquerading as (Colin Fishwick). Brian and Julie split when he took up a job in Wales in 2013, however he came back for her in 2015 and they left the street together. Brian returned again in 2016. Brian is played by Peter Gunn.
Biography[]
Backstory[]
Brian Packham was born on the 20th August 1963. He was an Oxford under graduate in October 1981. He later went into teaching.
2010-2013[]
Brian was the head of the English department at Daisyfield High School at part of a panel interviewing who they believed to be Colin Fishwick, who in actuality was John Stape using his friend's identity to teach again as he was unable to due to his criminal record. John got the job, and Brian gave "Colin" a tour of the school on his first day.
John resigned from the school due to the high risk. But in October 2010, Brian turned up at John's address as Colin's mother was trying to contact her son. John kept up the lies, and claimed he was now living under the alias of John Stape as he was the witness to a murder. Believing this, Brian left. When out in the street, he helped Julie Carp with her packed shopping and the pair hit it off. They had a meal in the Joinery Bar, but John ruined the evening by alerting Brian's wife Margaret, whom he didn't tell Julie about. Margaret was angry and dumped Brian's drink in his glass of wine, telling him not to come home, and Brian was dumped by Julie. Brian moved in with John and Fiz, the latter whom got fed up with him. Fiz rang Margaret pleading her to give Brian another chance. The ruse worked, and Brian returned home.
Brian's marriage didn't work out, and Brian and Margaret ended up splitting up. He gave up his job as head of the English department and became the new headmaster of Bessie Street Primary. He later reconciled with Julie and they entered into a proper relationship. Julie later became pregnant to Brian's baby, although this later turned out to be a ghost pregnancy. An operation rendered Julie unable to have children.
Julie was optimistic to adopt a child with Brian. Brian was less keen but went along with it to keep her happy. In 2013 he saw an advert for a museum job in Wales. Realising he was tired with working with children due to many years in teaching and working as a headmaster, he came to the conclusion he didn't want a child. He applied for the job and was successful, but had to break the news to Julie. She wasn't happy with the revelation and her dreams of having a child completely crushed, they split up. Brain left for Wales alone, and Julie remained back in their flat at Number 12 Coronation Street.
2015[]
Brian returned to the street in June 2015 hoping to get back with Julie, but was informed by Beth Sutherland that she has moved on with shopkeeper Dev Alahan. Brian left but returned the next day and revealed to Julie that they won a joint competition and the prize is a round the world trip. Julie turned down the offer out of loyalty to Dev, but after finding out that Dev had cheated on her when away she decided to leave him and get back with Brian. They departed together to go on their trip.
2016–[]
Throughout 2016 Brian and Julie's reconciliation began to wane and they eventually split up. Brian returned to Coronation Street in November 2016 and began working as a litter picker. He investigated an anonymous complaint at Nick's Bistro, but was bribed by chef Robert Preston with a free meal. Brian bumped into Tracy Barlow and informed her that he will visit her father Ken Barlow due to his recent stroke. He later went to lodge with Norris Cole at Number 3 Coronation Street, but moved out after the New Year and moved in with Roy Cropper at his cafe flat.
Brian was later drawn to Roy's ex-girlfriend Cathy Matthews and they began dating. He wanted to move into a home with Cathy but worried about Roy's reaction, although Roy was happy as he wanted Brian's room to be for Carla. Brian moved back into his old home No.12 along with Cathy and her nephew Alex Warner. Later in the year, he began to work as a childminder for Chesney Brown's son Joseph, and proved that he still worked well with children despite his previous misgivings for them.
In 2019 he bought the Kabin Newsagents from Norris Cole, who decided to retire and settle down with his partner Freda Burgess. Brian kept on original owner Rita Tanner at the shop.
Behind the Scenes[]
- Brian originally appeared as a guest character in 2010, first for four episodes in April 2010, and then five episodes in October that year, although this was mostly part of the John Stape saga. His October 2010 appearances also hinted at a possible romance between Brian and Julie Carp. When Peter Gunn returned to the role full-time in June 2011, Brian was involved in a romantic relationship with Julie and they became the show's new comedic couple. It was rumoured that they would also run a greengrocer together, although this was ultimately proven false.
- In early 2013 it was announced that Brian was axed by new producer Stuart Blackburn. The character was written out in December 2013. Blackburn later brought the character back briefly for three weeks in 2015 to facilitate the exit of Julie Carp, allowing the both of them to leave together.
- After Kate Oates took over as producer in 2016, it was announced that she intended to bring back some old faces to the show, which included Brian as well as Toyah Battersby, Peter Barlow, Adam Barlow and Daniel Osbourne. Brian returned in November that year on a full-time basis once again.
Appendices[]
List of addresses[]
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Employment history[]
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Memorable Info[]
Appearances: 15-19 Apr 2010, 11-15 Oct 2010, 10 Jun 2011-18 Dec 2013, 12 Jun-3 Jul 2015, 18 Nov 2016-
Born: 20th August 1963
Full Name: Brian Packham
Parents:
Siblings:
Spouse: Margaret Packham (??-2011)