Toyah Battersby is a fictional character from the British soap opera
Coronation Street, played by Georgia Taylor. Toyah and her family were
introduced to the serial by executive producer Brian Park in a bid to
increase falling ratings. Actress and singer Toyah Willcox gave the
producers permission to name the youngest member of the Battersby
family after herself, since the character was said to be born during
the height of her career. Taylor originally auditioned for the part of
Zoe Tattersall, but was cast as Toyah instead. The role marked her
acting debut. She made her first screen appearance during the episode
broadcast on 4 July 1997.Toyah was portrayed as cocky, naive, too
trusting and occasionally needing to be "a bit more clued up" about
things. Taylor called Toyah a decent person and someone who was loyal
to her friends and family. Taylor initially disliked Toyah's image,
particularly her make-up and clothes, which were too revealing.
Toyah's first major storyline saw her abducted by a stranger. At the
time, Taylor said it was one of the hardest storylines she had to film
and the Independent Television Commission believed it should have
carried a warning before it was broadcast. A few months later, Toyah
became the show's first female character to be involved in a storyline
surrounding the subject of under-age sex. The storyline was criticised
by watchdogs, but Taylor defended it, calling it "educational".Toyah
began a relationship with Spider Nugent (Martin Hancock) in 1999,
which lasted until Hancock's departure in July 2000. The following
year, the character was the focus of one of Coronation Street's most
controversial storylines, which saw her beaten and raped by Phil
Simmonds (Jack Deam). The storyline marked the first time in 40 years
that the show had included a rape. The storyline was criticised by
some former Coronation Street cast members, who thought the producers
were using the subject of rape to boost ratings. Taylor decided to
leave the show in July 2002 and her character departed on-screen the
following year on 5 February 2003. Toyah was well received by critics
and Taylor received the Best Young Actor accolade at the Inside Soap
Awards and Best Dramatic Performance at The British Soap Awards.
Coronation Street, played by Georgia Taylor. Toyah and her family were
introduced to the serial by executive producer Brian Park in a bid to
increase falling ratings. Actress and singer Toyah Willcox gave the
producers permission to name the youngest member of the Battersby
family after herself, since the character was said to be born during
the height of her career. Taylor originally auditioned for the part of
Zoe Tattersall, but was cast as Toyah instead. The role marked her
acting debut. She made her first screen appearance during the episode
broadcast on 4 July 1997.Toyah was portrayed as cocky, naive, too
trusting and occasionally needing to be "a bit more clued up" about
things. Taylor called Toyah a decent person and someone who was loyal
to her friends and family. Taylor initially disliked Toyah's image,
particularly her make-up and clothes, which were too revealing.
Toyah's first major storyline saw her abducted by a stranger. At the
time, Taylor said it was one of the hardest storylines she had to film
and the Independent Television Commission believed it should have
carried a warning before it was broadcast. A few months later, Toyah
became the show's first female character to be involved in a storyline
surrounding the subject of under-age sex. The storyline was criticised
by watchdogs, but Taylor defended it, calling it "educational".Toyah
began a relationship with Spider Nugent (Martin Hancock) in 1999,
which lasted until Hancock's departure in July 2000. The following
year, the character was the focus of one of Coronation Street's most
controversial storylines, which saw her beaten and raped by Phil
Simmonds (Jack Deam). The storyline marked the first time in 40 years
that the show had included a rape. The storyline was criticised by
some former Coronation Street cast members, who thought the producers
were using the subject of rape to boost ratings. Taylor decided to
leave the show in July 2002 and her character departed on-screen the
following year on 5 February 2003. Toyah was well received by critics
and Taylor received the Best Young Actor accolade at the Inside Soap
Awards and Best Dramatic Performance at The British Soap Awards.
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