George v Glenda: a grave situation
When Tony Maudsley arrived in Coronation Street, playing the undertaker, George Shuttleworth, he was an immediate hit. en, when he began a relationship with unlucky-in-love Eileen Grimshaw and employed her son, Todd Grimshaw, as his assistant, his place as a favourite on the street was ensured.
A good move from the producers was to introduce his screen sister, Glenda, who has also proved to be one of the soap’s most popular characters. As one of the bar sta in the Rovers, she has plenty of scope to show o her wit, warmth and vulnerability.
However, the loving sibling relationship is sorely tested this week when George chooses Eileen over Glenda as his power-of-attorney and really upsets her in the process!
Tony doesn’t understand what all the fuss is about. “Why wouldn’t George choose Eileen? I mean, the choice between Glenda and Eileen when it comes to legal business, you’re not going to choose Glenda! I don’t think Goerge thinks anything of it. He just always sees her as his little kid sister. But on this occasion, she’s really o ended that he’s not thought of her rst, but I can completely see why he goes for sensible Eileen over y-by-night Glenda!” says Tony. “It’s quite a responsibility to take that role on. Unfortunately, this opens up a can of worms!”
One of those worms being what plans George has in his will for his partner in love, Eileen, and his partner in business, Todd. “Look, George is four years into his relationship with Eileen. He’s four years of having Todd under his wing, and he wants to make sure that if he drops down dead, they’re both going to be looked a er,” says Tony. But Todd being Todd, that’s not enough for him. He goes snooping to see exactly what George is leaving. en this will appears, from old Archie Shuttleworth, that’s stuck at the back of a le. And it very clearly states that Glenda should have been bequeathed 50% of everything.
Tony knows how this is going to set the cat among the pigeons. “We don’t know if it was Archie’s last will because the date on it is smudged. It’s a bit of a quandary for everybody. It’s a big loss for Todd, if Glenda gets 50%, it’s not in his interests. But it’s sensible Eileen that sorts it out in the end before she goes o on holidays. She tells George that Todd has found this will, probably to appeal to George’s better nature, knowing that George will want to do the right thing,” says Tony.
So, what’s the problem? Surely Glenda getting her fair share of the funeral business is OK with good old George? “He’s in this quandary of not wanting to short-change his sister but also not wanting to hand her half a Tony Maudsley, who plays George Shuttleworth in Coronation Street, talks about George’s divided loyalties and how his nice-guy image could be challenged
business that she’s going to sink into the ground if she gets her hands on it! He’s not about to do his sister over – he wants the absolute best for her – but he’s also very aware that Glenda’s not the sharpest tool in the box and if she gets her hands on money, she’s gonna blow it on something and send both George and the company into an early grave,” explains Tony.
If Glenda discovers George has kept it from her, it will surely change their relationship? As well Tony knows. “Money does strange things to people, doesn’t it? I think initially, she’s just going to hold her hand out and wait for a big fat cheque! George, thinking of his own welfare, the work he’s put into the business, and also Glenda’s welfare, worries about what will become of her if she has all this money to play with. So, I’m not sure Glenda is going to get what she wants straightaway. ere’s going to be a bit of a battle there,” says Tony.
Of course, Glenda could do with the cash. She’s renting a room from Jenny over the pub, and although she’s happy, it’s not great. It could be better. With pound signs in her eyes, there may be no turning back!
George’s attitude towards the best solution is very typical of him, wanting to do the right and fair thing, wanting to protect his sister, but he is worried about the consequences. “I think from George’s point of view, it was always odd that Glenda wasn’t le much by their father. I think he understood why, because Glenda has always been working on cruise ships on the high seas, and singing songs. She’s Little Miss Showbiz, she always was. George knows that she’s not a responsible person. He’s just got to tread very carefully. And I’m sure George being George, he’ll want the best outcome for everyone,” says Tony.
Well, as viewers can predict, what George and Glenda think is best will divide the siblings and probably the community. At the end of the day, it might not be George’s decision, but with Todd sticking his oar in, and George’s loyalty to the business he has cherished, versus his love and loyalty to his sister, viewers can be sure that the outcome, whatever it may be, will result in a lot more drama before the issue is resolved. May the strongest sibling win!