Percy Sugden was a character in Coronation Street from Ep 2336 - 22 Aug 1983 to Ep 4285 - 20 Oct 1997. He was the old age pensioner who was very brash, and quite cantankerous, and he liked to make other peoples business his business. Percy actually enjoyed stirring it and causing trouble. He lodged with Emily Bishop. After having to put up with the Battersby family as neighbours in the summer of 1997, and thinking Emily was an alcoholic, Percy decided to move into a retirement home in October 1997. Percy was played by Bill Waddington.
Biography[]
Backstory[]
Percival (Percy) Sugden was born on the 8th April 1922 in Weatherfield. Percy was the second of 2 children, he had an older sister Millie Sugden. His parents retired to The Lake District in 1943. Percy was in National Service. Percy married Mary Jackson in 1945 but they never had any children.
1983-1997[]
Percy Sugden and Albert Tatlock in 1983.
Percy Sugden moved into Coronation Street in 1983. He lived at the community centre flat. He was a know all who always rubbed other residents up the wrong way and made this clear when he moved into Coronation Street. Percy briefly knew Albert Tatlock but Albert went to live with his daughter and later died. Percy clashed with Fred Gee over a motor car he was selling. Percy once told Fred to clean his pipes out, and gave him money for a bus fare when he said the raffle is still on. Fred grabbed Percy by the throat and had to be restrained by Terry Duckworth. Percy started checking his neighbours back yards in a Neighbourhood Watch scheme. He was once mistaken for a burglar until Alf Roberts vouched for him.
Percy in 1988.
Percy soon gained a reputation for being a nosey parker and became a lodger of Emily Bishop. So much so that in 1988, the words "Nosey Parker" was painted on the ground outside Emily's house, where Percy lodged. One time, people got so fed up with Percy and his busybody ways, that for Guy Fawkes Night, an effigy of Percy was made, and burned on the bonfire. The humourless Percy of course, sneered and took offence.
In July 1997 Percy was against the new Battersby family moving in as they were loud and uncouth. They gave the quiet Coronation Street a bad name. Percy was told to back off by Toyah Battersby when he turned her radio off after it was playing loud music. Percy often had disputes with Les Battersby. Percy found the Battersby's too noisy and loud.
Percy leaves Weatherfield in 1997.
In October 1997, Percy begins to suspect Emily of being a secret drinker as he finds empty alcohol bottles stashed around the house, and thinks she is playing pranks on him when things are moved around (not realising Les Battersby is secretly breaking in and doing this as a wind up). Percy finds himself unable to live with Emily as he believes she is an alcoholic, and decides to move on to Mayfield Court. Emily makes no attempt to convince him to stay, and her and Ken bid farewell to Percy as he departs for a new life at the retirement home. Several Coronation Street residents may have been pleased that the persnickety, nosey old parker had finally left the area, although Emily surprisingly found it emotional when he left.
After 1997[]
Percy never returned to Coronation Street after he moved to Mayfield Court. He has not even been back to see Emily. Although Emily got shot of Percy, she took in Norris Cole as a lodger three years later, who was quite nosy but not really as cantankerous or miserable as Percy was, and would prove to be a loyal friend for years to come.
As of 2025, what has become of Percy is uncertain. If he is still alive he will be 103 years old. In April 2025 his great nephew Carl Webster moved into Coronation Street.
References following departure[]
In November 2019, when talking about old fashioned names, Kevin Webster and Abi Franklin mentioned the name Percy. This made Kevin mention Percy Sugden by saying "We had a Percy who lived round here once. He was as miserable as sin". Percy had been gone from the area 22 years by then. Kevin only mentioned Percy in past tense, and did not disclose what became of him after 1997 (although it is unlikely Kevin would know what became of him). Also Kevin was practically family to Percy, as his stepmother Elaine Webster was the niece of Percy Sugden, thus making him Kevin's step great uncle, as Percy's sister Mille Prior, nee Sugden was Kevin's step grandmother.
In February 2021, Rita mentioned Percy when she said how her late husband Ted died while she watched Percy playing bowls.
In 2025, Percy's great nephew Carl Webster arrived in Weatherfield.
Background information[]
Bill Waddington made his first appearance as Percy Sugden in August 1983. He had previously appeared in small roles on the show, appearing as an unnamed man in October 1967, Jack - a drinker at the Rovers - in July 1974, Eric Summers in June 1978, and George Turner in September 1980. He also appeared in an episode of the spin-off series Pardon the Expression in 1965.
He appeared in the show for 14 years becoming a major staple on the show. Waddington quit the part in 1997 following Brian Park taking over the show and taking it into a gritty direction. Percy departed in October that year. It is often believed he was one of several long-running characters axed by Park, although this is untrue. Waddington later passed away three years later in September 2000, although Percy's fate was never addressed in the show.
Memorable info[]
One time in 1984, Percy was jokingly called "Percival" as Percy is often a pet name for Percival but Percy is a name in its own right. Whether Percy's full first name was Percival is unknown.
Appendices[]
List of addresses[]
| Address | Duration |
|---|---|
| Community Centre flat | August 1983 to May 1988 |
| 3 Coronation Street | 25th May 1988 to 18th July 1988 |
| 11 Parliament Street | 18th July 1988 to 3rd August 1988 |
| 3 Coronation Street | 3rd August 1988 to 29th July 1991 |
| NorWin, Seedley Close | 29th July 1991 to 2nd August 1991 |
| 3 Coronation Street | 9th August 1991 to 20th October 1997 |
| Mayfield Court | 20th October 1997 onwards |
Employment history[]
| Role | Institution | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Caretaker | Community Centre | 22nd August 1983 to May 1988 |
Memorable info[]
Born: 8th April 1922, Weatherfield, Lancashire
Full Name: Percy Sugden
Parents: Mr Sugden and Mrs Sugden
Siblings: Millie Prior (Nee Sugden)
Spouse: Mary Jackson (1945-??)
Children: None
Nieces: Elaine Webster, Frances Prior
Great Nephews: Carl Webster