Alma Halliwell (also Sedgewick and Baldwin) is a fictional character
from the British ITV soap opera, Coronation Street, played by Amanda
Barrie. Alma was featured as a recurring character from 1981 to 1982;
however, she was reintroduced as a regular in 1988. She remained in
the show for a further 13 years, featuring in high-profile storylines
such as a problematic marriage to the long-running character Mike
Baldwin (Johnny Briggs), kidnapping, and a supermarket siege. Barrie
decided to leave the soap in 2001, and Alma was killed-off in a
controversial cervical cancer storyline.Alma is first introduced in
1981 as the wife of cafe owner, Jim Sedgewick (Michael O'Hagan). The
marriage is a disaster and when Alma falls pregnant a year later, she
has an abortion rather than bring a child into their loveless home.
Alma takes over Jim's Café after they divorce in 1982. She emigrates
to Florida for a while with a pools winner named Phillip but when he
squanders the money, Alma returns to Weatherfield. The character
properly begins to make an impact when she takes a more active role in
the management of the café in late 1988. This is the beginning of a
long-running working relationship with Gail Tilsley (Helen Worth), who
becomes Alma's business partner in 1989, until Alma sells her share to
Roy Cropper (David Neilson) in 1996.Alma has a tempestuous on-off
relationship with Mike Baldwin (Johnny Briggs). They date but he dumps
her and marries Jackie Ingram (Shirin Taylor) in 1990. Alma then dates
Mike's enemy, Ken Barlow (William Roache), but she is seduced by Mike
after he decides he wants her back and her relationship with Ken
dissolves. Alma and Mike marry in 1992. Alma is often the motherly,
sympathetic, liberal-minded character in many storylines, particularly
off-setting her husband Mike's often harsh and high-minded attitudes.
Mike's patronising and chauvinistic mannerisms alienate Alma at times;
she occasionally rebels, buying herself a 1979 MG Midget convertible
and seeking employment against his wishes. Alma considers straying
briefly with Stephen Reid (Todd Boyce) - son of Audrey Roberts (Sue
Nicholls) and Gail's half-brother - in 1996. She makes a pass at him
but is rebuffed and is hurt further when Mike responds with
nonchalance to the incident. She is then caught up in the plight of
Don Brennan (Geoffrey Hinsliff). Alma feels sympathy for Don after
Mike sells him a garage business at a knowingly inflated price and
then watches him go bankrupt. Don eventually has a breakdown, becoming
obsessed with revenge on Mike. After attempting to frame Mike for
arson and insurance fraud, he kidnaps Alma, driving her into the river
in his taxi; both survive. His last act is to steal Alma's car and
drive into the viaduct at the end of Coronation Street, killing
himself. Alma and Mike separate in 1999 when Alma discovers that Mike
has cheated on her; they eventually divorce and Alma moves in with
Audrey.
from the British ITV soap opera, Coronation Street, played by Amanda
Barrie. Alma was featured as a recurring character from 1981 to 1982;
however, she was reintroduced as a regular in 1988. She remained in
the show for a further 13 years, featuring in high-profile storylines
such as a problematic marriage to the long-running character Mike
Baldwin (Johnny Briggs), kidnapping, and a supermarket siege. Barrie
decided to leave the soap in 2001, and Alma was killed-off in a
controversial cervical cancer storyline.Alma is first introduced in
1981 as the wife of cafe owner, Jim Sedgewick (Michael O'Hagan). The
marriage is a disaster and when Alma falls pregnant a year later, she
has an abortion rather than bring a child into their loveless home.
Alma takes over Jim's Café after they divorce in 1982. She emigrates
to Florida for a while with a pools winner named Phillip but when he
squanders the money, Alma returns to Weatherfield. The character
properly begins to make an impact when she takes a more active role in
the management of the café in late 1988. This is the beginning of a
long-running working relationship with Gail Tilsley (Helen Worth), who
becomes Alma's business partner in 1989, until Alma sells her share to
Roy Cropper (David Neilson) in 1996.Alma has a tempestuous on-off
relationship with Mike Baldwin (Johnny Briggs). They date but he dumps
her and marries Jackie Ingram (Shirin Taylor) in 1990. Alma then dates
Mike's enemy, Ken Barlow (William Roache), but she is seduced by Mike
after he decides he wants her back and her relationship with Ken
dissolves. Alma and Mike marry in 1992. Alma is often the motherly,
sympathetic, liberal-minded character in many storylines, particularly
off-setting her husband Mike's often harsh and high-minded attitudes.
Mike's patronising and chauvinistic mannerisms alienate Alma at times;
she occasionally rebels, buying herself a 1979 MG Midget convertible
and seeking employment against his wishes. Alma considers straying
briefly with Stephen Reid (Todd Boyce) - son of Audrey Roberts (Sue
Nicholls) and Gail's half-brother - in 1996. She makes a pass at him
but is rebuffed and is hurt further when Mike responds with
nonchalance to the incident. She is then caught up in the plight of
Don Brennan (Geoffrey Hinsliff). Alma feels sympathy for Don after
Mike sells him a garage business at a knowingly inflated price and
then watches him go bankrupt. Don eventually has a breakdown, becoming
obsessed with revenge on Mike. After attempting to frame Mike for
arson and insurance fraud, he kidnaps Alma, driving her into the river
in his taxi; both survive. His last act is to steal Alma's car and
drive into the viaduct at the end of Coronation Street, killing
himself. Alma and Mike separate in 1999 when Alma discovers that Mike
has cheated on her; they eventually divorce and Alma moves in with
Audrey.
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