Izzy Armstrong

Izzy Armstrong is a character in Coronation Street who first appeared in 2010. She is the daughter of Owen Armstrong.

Izzy is played by Cherylee Houston.

Biography[]

Backstory[]

Izzy was born in January 1986 to Owen Armstrong and Linda Hancock. When she was eight years old her sister Katy was born. Shortly afterwards their mother walked out on the family, leaving Owen to raise his daughters on his own. He became very protective of them, although especially to Izzy due to her having Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and being wheelchair bound. He would often act angry and even violently to those that may be a threat to his daughters. Izzy left the Armstrong household in 2010 and moved to 28 Grayling Street.

2010-[]

Izzy first arrived on Coronation Street in April 2010 to meet Kirk Sutherland, whom she had met on a dating website. But unfortunately Kirk had actually used a photo of Jason Grimshaw, and Izzy wasn't too happy about being duped. But she agreed to continue seeing Kirk anyway. During this time she had accidentally ran into Gary Windass who had bumped into her on the street. Although Gary was initially rude and telling Izzy to watch where she was going, she was happy at this as she was used to people always tiptoeing around her due to her disability. Izzy later got employed at the Underworld factory as a machinist.

Her father Owen tracked her down to the Rovers in June 2010. When Gary witnessed their confrontation he stepped into her defense, but backed down upon realising Owen was her dad. Izzy convinced Owen to let her lead her own life, which he accepted. Although Izzy continued to date Kirk she was actually attracted to Gary, and he felt the same about her. After splitting from Kirk she began to go out with Gary, although he went touring in Afghanistan later in the year when he enlisted into the army. But this didn't last long as Gary was injured when a roadside bomb went off and he returned home, and suffering PTSD due to the trauma and also losing his friend Quinny. Although Gary hoped to return to the army, he was discharged after assaulting a police officer (whilst suffering a panic attic) on a night out with David Platt.

Gary's PTSD resurfaced in 2011 when he began to believe that Izzy was in danger, and he held her hostage at her flat. He refused to let her leave, believing there was a threat outside. Her father Owen bust down the door and saved Izzy, and comforted Gary he began to breakdown. Gary began to receive help following the incident, and eventually got back with Izzy.

Gary wanted to become a father, and persuaded Izzy on the matter, even though she was worried about getting pregnant due to her condition. Izzy managed to get pregnant, but suffered a miscarriage. Izzy's sister Katy volunteered to become a surrogate, but their friend Tina McIntyre instead offered. Tina began carrying around Izzy and Gary's baby, and gave birth to their son Jake in 2013. Tina was attached to the baby and initially didn't want to give him up, but later relented and gave the child to his rightful parents.

Izzy and Gary's relationship became strained in 2014, due to him attacking business partner Pat Phelan which resulted in Phelan blackmailing the Armstrong/Windass clan and losing Owen a £80,000 investment in a building project, which caused Owen to go broke. On a night out Gary coped off with Alya Nazir, and Izzy and Gary decided to end their relationship. Following the incident they decided to remain friends, and Jake lived with Izzy most of the time.

Izzy and Katy reunited with their mother Linda Hancock in 2015 after many years. It was revealed that Owen had kept Linda away due to her having an affair, which caused Izzy to fall out with her father. Katy left with Linda for a new life in Portugal, although Izzy decided to remain behind in Weatherfield. Owen later decided to leave the street, and Izzy forgave him before he left. Owen's departure left Izzy the last Armstrong family member on the street.

In 2016, Izzy turned to marijuana use to relieve her chronic pain, and began meeting drug dealers. Her flat was later raided by the police when she had a dealer round, and Izzy accidentally hurt an officer when she rammed him with her chair, which caused her to be arrested and charged for possession of drugs and also assaulting a police officer. Although the court were sympathetic towards Izzy's plight, she received a two month prison sentence. After finishing her sentence she hoped to get back with Gary, but he was no longer in love with her, which she accepted. She still remained friends with Gary and would often support him through his troubles.

In June 2020, Izzy went into shielding due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so hasn't been seen around the street or at her work since then.

Trivia[]

Izzy Armstrong was introduced as the second wheelchair bound character in the series following Maud Grimes, although was the first to be played by an actual wheelchair user. After Izzy's introduction her father Owen was introduced and then her sister Katy, which formed the Armstrong family unit.
Izzy has been absent from the series since June 2020. Before that she had only appeared in six episodes for that year, which led to some fans to wonder what happened to Izzy. It might have something to do with filming being temporarily halted in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and change in the way the show had to film scenes, which has led to several characters being absent for long periods of time or not seen for a while. In April 2021, it was confirmed that the actress had been shielding due to the pandemic, although the appearances would be limited to a video call. She had appeared for 12 episodes from April to August 2021, and appeared for one episode in February 2022, her most recent appearance. She returned full-time in 2023.

Appendices[]

List of addresses[]

Address	Duration

Employment history[]

Role	Institution	Duration

Memorable info[]

Appearances: 16 Apr 2010-15 Jun 2020, 21 Apr 2021-4 Aug 2021, 23 Feb 2022, 11 Jan 2023-

Born: 1986

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Children: Jake Windass (2013)