Heather Haversham (also Huntington and Black) is a fictional character from the British
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British free-to-air public broadcast television channel owned and operated by Channel Four Television Corporation. It is state-owned enterprise, publicly owned but, unlike the BBC, it receives no public funding and is funded en ...
soap opera
A soap opera (also called a daytime drama or soap) is a genre of a long-running radio or television Serial (radio and television), serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term ''soap opera'' originat ...
''
Brookside Brookside may refer to:
Geography Canada
* Brookside, Edmonton
* Brookside, Newfoundland and Labrador
* Brookside, Nova Scotia
United Kingdom
* Brookside, Berkshire, England
* Brookside, Telford, an area of Telford, England
United States
* Bro ...
'', played by
Amanda Burton
Amanda Burton (born 10 October 1956) is a Northern Irish actress. Her notable credits include Heather Haversham in the Channel 4 soap opera '' Brookside'' (1982–1986), Beth Glover in the ITV drama series ''Peak Practice'' (1993–1995), Sa ...
. Heather is one of the show's original characters and debuted on-screen during the first episode broadcast on 2 November 1982. Heather and her husband,
Roger Huntington
Roger Huntington is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera ''Brookside (TV series), Brookside'', played by Rob Spendlove. One of the show's original characters, Roger debuted on-screen during the show's first episode broadca ...
(
Rob Spendlove
Rob Spendlove (born 1 May 1953) is a British actor best known for his roles on British television.
He studied drama at Middlesex Polytechnic, worked as a teacher and toured schools with a fringe theatre company.
He has appeared in many televis ...
) assume the roles of the show's young professional characters. Portrayed as yuppies, they work in accountancy and prioritise their careers over anything else. Writers characterised Heather ambitious and studious, determined to be a successful accountant. Another theme writers often used in developing Heather was heartbreak via her numerous failed romances. She transformed into an unlucky-in-love character with a failed marriage to Roger and hopeless relationships with Stuart Griffiths (Danny McCarthy), Don Summerhill (Jonathan Barlow) and Tom Curzon (Brian Stephens).
Heather was later partnered with
Nicholas Black (
Alan Rothwell
Alan Rothwell (born 9 February 1937) is an England, English actor and television presenter. He played David Barlow (Coronation Street), David Barlow in the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' as a regular from 1960 to 1961, and again from 1963 t ...
), an architect with a quirky persona which Heather fell in love with. Writers decided to inflict more trauma on the character by exploring Nick's drug addiction to heroin. The two characters marry but their happiness is short due to Nick's behaviour. Heather initially tolerates Nick's behaviour until he attempts to pressure her into taking heroin. Writers killed Nick off in an overdose story and Burton left the series shortly after. The character's departure story featured Heather leaving abruptly and auctioning off her house and its contents. Burton described her time on the show as "wonderful training" and stated that she "absolutely loved" the fame she achieved via the role. Heather has been praised by critics of the genre for her personality and making accountancy "sexy". However, critic Paula Young writing for ''Soaps'', bemoaned Heather's characterisation stating that she "falls in and out of love like there's no tomorrow."
Casting
In 1982, Burton was cast as Heather, one of the original ''Brookside'' characters. Burton had limited experience in the television industry, having only appeared on ''The
Rod Hull
Rodney Stephen Hull (13 August 1935 – 17 March 1999) was a British comedian and popular entertainer on television in the 1970s and 1980s. He rarely appeared without Emu, a mute and highly aggressive arm-length puppet modelled on the Australian ...
Show''.
Heather was Burton's first acting role on television.
Burton later told Brian Viner from ''
The Independent
''The Independent'' is a British online newspaper. It was established in 1986 as a national morning printed paper. Nicknamed the ''Indy'', it began as a broadsheet and changed to tabloid format in 2003. The last printed edition was publis ...
'' that "Suddenly, I had a sense of belonging. Brookside really was like a family. And it gave me so much confidence."
[
]
Development
Characterisation and relationships
When the series begins, Heather lives at number nine Brookside Close, alongside her husband, Roger Huntington
Roger Huntington is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera ''Brookside (TV series), Brookside'', played by Rob Spendlove. One of the show's original characters, Roger debuted on-screen during the show's first episode broadca ...
(Rob Spendlove
Rob Spendlove (born 1 May 1953) is a British actor best known for his roles on British television.
He studied drama at Middlesex Polytechnic, worked as a teacher and toured schools with a fringe theatre company.
He has appeared in many televis ...
). She and Roger met while studying at Liverpool University
The University of Liverpool (abbreviated UOL) is a public research university in Liverpool, England. Founded in 1881 as University College Liverpool, Victoria University, it received Royal Charter by King Edward VII in 1903 attaining the de ...
, formed a relationship and stayed in the city.[ The couple represent the British upper-middle class and young professionals. Heather is Irish and is used to having good finances because her parents run a successful hotel in Northern Ireland.][ Redmond 1987, p.60.] Heather works as an accountant and is characterised as a glamorous female.[ Redmond 1987, p.90.] In the book, ''Brookside: The Official Companion'', show creator Phil Redmond
Sir Philip Redmond (born 10 June 1949) is an English television producer and screenwriter. He is known for creating the television series ''Grange Hill'', ''Brookside'' and ''Hollyoaks''.
Early life and education
Redmond was born in Huyton, Eng ...
profiled Heather as a "accountancy undergraduate with a smile that could buy her the world."[ Heather is "ambitious" and studious, wanting to pass her final accountancy exams. Heather loves money and her work to the extent that she brings extra work home to complete in the evenings.][ Redmond 1987, p.61.] Heather and Roger do not plan on beginning a family because Heather realises that she needs to concentrate solely on her career to be successful. Redmond noted that despite this characterisation, Heather "isn't heartless" and perhaps would consider a family of her own in the future.[ He added that Heather was a "central character" who introduced viewers to the lifestyle yuppies had become accustomed to.][
In a character profile published in '']TVTimes
''TV Times'' is a British television listings magazine. From 1955 until 1991, it was the only source of seven-day listings for ITV and, from 1982, Channel 4 (as well as S4C in Wales in an enclosed local supplement titled '' Sbec''). The magaz ...
'', Heather was described a career woman and together with Roger, they look to improve their social standing. Heather and Roger's home appears like a "Habitat
In ecology, habitat refers to the array of resources, biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species' habitat can be seen as the physical manifestation of its ...
show home" and in line with their long working days, dinner is always served at 8PM.[ To add authenticity to Heather's lifestyle, producers ensured that Heather has a ]Citroën 2CV
The Citroën 2CV (, , lit. "two horses", meaning "two Tax horsepower#France, ''taxable'' horsepower") is an economy car produced by the French company Citroën from 1948 to 1990. Introduced at the 1948 Paris Paris Auto Show, Salon de l'Automobi ...
parked in her driveway. Redmond said that the car was "the chic fun mobile loved and polished by young aspiring professionals everywhere."[ Writers chose to portray Heather as a private person in relation to the other characters on the show. Heather did converse with her neighbours, but they often only see her when she is leaving for work or arriving home.][
Writers had no intention of portraying a happy marriage for Heather and Roger. His characterisation as an "immature snob" who "delights in the trappings of professionalism" is a threat to their marriage.][ Roger often goes away on business trips, which he is able to use as a cover story when he begins an affair with Diane McAllister (Rosy Clayton). Writers were quick to portray Heather as savvy to Roger's infidelity. She notices Roger coming home later and even smells another women's perfume on him. His business trips become longer and Roger's boss Derek Hobbs (Norman Gregory) becomes interested in Heather.][ He decides to pursue her in Roger's absence, buying her gifts. When Heather discovers that Roger has gone to Birmingham with Diane, she confronts him and throws him out of their home. Heather is upset and goes to stay at her parents hotel. When she returns, she and Roger decide to end their marriage. Heather continues to work at Hamilton-Devereaux and immerses herself in her work. She passes her final exams and to combat evening loneliness, she invites her colleague, Polly to live with her.][
In September 1984, Redmond revealed that viewers did not want Roger to return. He noted that Roger was not disliked but the viewers' admiration of Heather had grown. Redmond added "they admire Heather for making a stand as a woman and they don't want her to weaken. Any hint of romance and the letters start rolling in."] Writers changed the character's name from Heather Huntington to Heather Haversham, which in the story is her maiden name.[ They also created a series of new romantic stories for Heather, as she decides to give dating a try. Heather's appearance and status attract two men competing for her affections. She meets Dr. Stuart Griffiths (Danny McCarthy) at a party, but he falls asleep during their first date. Like Heather, he puts his career first.][ When Heather buys a used ]Volkswagen Scirocco
The Volkswagen Scirocco is a three-door, front-engine, front-wheel-drive, sport compact hatchback manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen in two generations from 1974 to 1992 and a third generation from 2008 until 2018. Production ended without a ...
, she meets car salesman Don Summerhill (Jonathan Barlow). Redmond said that Heather finds Don "intriguing and engaging" and completely different from herself.[ Heather likes Don and wants to pursue their relationship further. When the pair attempt to have sex, they are interrupted by Don's wife. Heather is branded a "man poacher" and she is "hurt by the fact that she has been deceived."][ Heather is loath to be hurt again and ends contact with Stuart too.][
Writers continued to invest in Heather and introduced Brian Stephens as Heather's new love interest Tom Curzon. He owns the company Curzon Communications which is due to be floated on the stock exchange.][ Redmond 1987, p.62.] Heather is given the task of sorting out the company's accounts. Tom is wealthy and enjoys fine wine, which impresses Heather. The pair begin dating and eventually start planning their future. ''Brookside'' also commissioned location filming to include their holiday in Portugal in episodes.[ Men betraying Heather was common theme in her story and writers played on it once again. When Heather witnesses Tom meeting with a mystery girl, she confronts him. Tom confesses that she is his secret daughter, Rowena Curzon (Uncredited).][
Heather feels betrayed once again and thinks that men cannot be trusted. Tom asks Heather to marry him and takes her to a house that he intends to buy them. Heather is shocked when Tom asks her to quit her job and have children with him, which causes Heather to break up with him. Redmond stated that it was an example that Heather had "learned to love her independence and ambition still rules her heart".][ Heather does love Tom but cannot bear to become a stay at home mother and wife. She is "heartbroken" but knows that she must carry on with her career. Other residents on Brookside Close fail to notice anything is wrong with Heather because of her tendency to keep her personal life a secret from them.][
]
Second marriage and departure
Heather's next relationship is with an architect, Nicholas Black (Alan Rothwell
Alan Rothwell (born 9 February 1937) is an England, English actor and television presenter. He played David Barlow (Coronation Street), David Barlow in the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street'' as a regular from 1960 to 1961, and again from 1963 t ...
). The two meet after Nick has a minor collision with Heather's car. He takes Heather's address and later calls around to sort the damage to the car.[ Heather is decorating her house with Joyce Harrington (Gil Brailey) and Nick invites himself inside to help them. He ends up convincing Heather to let him stay over and complete the decorating in one night. He manages to finish by morning and Heather develops a bond with him.][ They begin dating, Redmond described Nick as "no ]Paul Newman
Paul Leonard Newman (January 26, 1925 – September 26, 2008) was an American actor, film director, race car driver, philanthropist, and activist. He was the recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Paul Newman, numerous awards ...
" but Heather was not concerned about good looks. Nick is portrayed as "cheerful and optimistic in an almost childlike way" and Heather is left falling in love with him.[
Nick draws silly cartoons for Heather and he is honest about his family life. Nick had previously been married to Barbara Black ( Brenda Elder), but their marriage ends when she ]comes out
Coming out of the closet, often shortened to coming out, is a metaphor used to describe LGBTQ people's self-disclosure of their sexual orientation, romantic orientation, or gender identity.
This is often framed and debated as a privacy issue, ...
as a lesbian. They have three children together, Ruth (Joanne Sidwell), Scott (Philip Glancy) and Adam Black (Toby King).[ Polite Adam is the easiest of Nick's children for Heather to bond with. She finds it difficult to cope with awkward Scott and then causes problems for Heather and Nick because she is jealous of their relationship.][ In addition, writers introduced Nick's best friend Charlie Dawson (]Philip McGough
Philip McGough (born ) is a British actor from Penygraig, Wales, who is a former member of the Royal Shakespeare Company with many appearances on a variety of television programmes.
Personal life
In an interview with '' The Mirror'' in 2001, McGo ...
). Heather takes an instant dislike to Charlie, but Nick stresses that Charlie is harmless and they have a long friendship. Despite basically living with Heather, Nick refuses to give up his flat which he uses to meet with Charlie.[
Writers once again created relationship turmoil for Heather, who had become a firmly established as an unlucky in love character. Heather discovers that Nick had been cashing in cheques amounting to hundreds of pounds but could not explain where the money went.][ Redmond 1987, p.64.] As an accountant, Heather uses her knowledge to take control of his finances. She excuses his behaviour, believing that Nick is just an eccentric person. She goes ahead with their wedding day and marries Nick with their friends and family in attendance.[ But Nick continues to hide away with Charlie in his flat. Heather presumes that Nick and Charlie are gay and are having an affair.][
Heather decides to go to his flat and confront them, only to find that Nick has overdosed on heroin.][ Redmond 1987, p.67.] Nick survives and it is revealed that Nick and Charlie are long-term functioning heroin addicts who have managed to get by in life.[ Heather decides to give Nick another chance if he promises to stop taking drugs. Barbara warns Heather that Nick will never change. Heather loves Nick and thinks she can change his behaviour. She confiscates his cheque book and he steals Heather's jewellery and sells it to purchase heroin. Heather confronts Nick, who laughs in her face.][ She visits ]Barry Grant
Barry Grant is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera ''Brookside'', played by Paul Usher. The character debuted on-screen during the first episode of ''Brookside'', broadcast on 2 November 1982. Barry is one of the show's ...
(Paul Usher
Paul Usher (born 20 April 1961) is an English actor. He is known for his roles as Barry Grant in the Channel 4 soap opera ''Brookside'' and Des Taviner in the ITV drama ''The Bill''. In 2019, he began appearing in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnder ...
) for advice because he his ex-girlfriend was addicted to heroin. He tells Heather to leave Nick, or else she will end up an addict. Heather decides to give Nick an additional chance but later finds him drugged up and they argue.[ Nick tries to convince Heather to take heroin with him their argument ends with Nick leaving their home. Nick is found dead on a bench in ]Sefton Park
Sefton Park is a public park in south Liverpool, England. The park is in a conservation district of the same name, It is the largest public park in Liverpool and the Liverpool City Region. Suburbs neighbouring the park include Toxteth, Aigb ...
, and it is determined that he fell asleep having smoked heroin and died from hypothermia.[
In 1986, Burton decided to leave ''Brookside'' after four years to pursue other acting projects.][ Heather decides she can no longer live on Brookside Close where she has experienced so much trauma. She gives Barry her house keys, gets into her car and leaves late at night with just a couple of suitcases on the back seat. A solicitor later auctions off the house and its contents.][ Heather initially moved back to Ireland and never returned to Brookside Close.] In the 1994 book, ''Phil Redmond's Brookside - Life in the Close'', it was revealed that Heather spent three years in Ireland and then moved to Derbyshire
Derbyshire ( ) is a ceremonial county in the East Midlands of England. It borders Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, and South Yorkshire to the north, Nottinghamshire to the east, Leicestershire to the south-east, Staffordshire to the south a ...
. It was also detailed that Heather was in a long-term relationship with a general practitioner
A general practitioner (GP) is a doctor who is a Consultant (medicine), consultant in general practice.
GPs have distinct expertise and experience in providing whole person medical care, whilst managing the complexity, uncertainty and risk ass ...
but did not want to marry him. In the programme, however, Heather's possessions are auctioned off by a solicitor in March 1987, after she moved to London
London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
and asked Paul
Paul may refer to:
People
* Paul (given name), a given name, including a list of people
* Paul (surname), a list of people
* Paul the Apostle, an apostle who wrote many of the books of the New Testament
* Ray Hildebrand, half of the singing duo ...
( Jim Wiggins) and Annabelle Collins ( Doreen Sloane) to send on only her clothes and some photographs.
Later discussing her time in ''Brookside'', Burton told Emily Bearn from ''The Daily Telegraph
''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a British daily broadsheet conservative newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed in the United Kingdom and internationally. It was found ...
'' that "It was a wonderful training, I was still quite naïve when I joined the programme but I learned so much from it. You learn more on set than you ever could in a drama school." Burton also "absolutely loved" the fame that ''Brookside'' gave her, adding "of course it was a thrill then because I equated it with success."[
]
Reception
Erin Santillo from Staffordshire Live said that Burton "quickly became a fan favourite on the soap." A writer from ''Soap'' magazine profiled the character, stating "Heather Haversham was the lovely accountant who constantly raised the temperature of all the male members of Brookside. She married a solicitor, Roger Huntington but that went horribly wrong." An ''Inside Soap
''Inside Soap'' is a weekly soap opera and television listings magazine published in the United Kingdom. The magazine is currently released every Tuesday. It covers storylines featured in British and Australian soap operas that are broadcast in t ...
'' reporter wrote that "it looked like Heather and Roger Huntington's marriage was made in heaven. Both were young, handsome and successful in their respective careers." A writer from the magazine ''Soaps'' branded her "Brookside's most eligible bachelor girl, Heather Haversham". They added that Heather had "fallen for" Nick's "home cooking and witty cartoons". Their colleague Paula Young criticised the show stating, "this year, the plot's been a bit of a damp squib as far as I can see. Just like Heather Haversham, who falls in and out of love like there's no tomorrow, its staying power is highly suspect. Some major changes are long overdue." In his book, ''The Who's Who of Soap Operas'', author Anthony Hayward branded Heather a "glamorous accountant".[ Hayward 1991, p.29.] An ''Inside Soap'' columnist agreed with Hayward, writing "the only woman who could make accountancy seem sexy, she went from one romantic disaster to another." ''The Independent's'' Brian Viner similarly opined that Burton "managed the near-impossible, by making an accountant both interesting and sexy."[ The '']Liverpool Echo
The ''Liverpool Echo'' is a newspaper published by Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales – a subsidiary company of Reach plc and is based in St. Paul's Square, Liverpool, England. It is published Monday through Sunday, and is Liverpool's da ...
's'' Dawn Collinson said Heather was a "sexy" character.[
A writer from '']The Northern Echo
''The Northern Echo'' is a regional daily morning newspaper based in the town of Darlington in North East England, serving mainly southern County Durham and northern Yorkshire. The paper covers national as well as regional news. In 2007, its the ...
'' described Burton's time on the show, stating "no one would expect her to do anything but suffer in a soap, so her four years as accountant Heather Haversham in Channel 4's Brookside were an emotional rollercoaster, low on fun." A reporter from the ''Irish Examiner
The ''Irish Examiner'', formerly ''The Cork Examiner'' and then ''The Examiner'', is an Republic of Ireland, Irish national daily newspaper which primarily circulates in the Munster region surrounding its base in Cork (city), Cork, though it is ...
'', Daphne Lockyer of the ''Daily Express
The ''Daily Express'' is a national daily United Kingdom middle-market newspaper printed in Tabloid (newspaper format), tabloid format. Published in London, it is the flagship of Express Newspapers, owned by publisher Reach plc. It was first ...
'' and Emily Bearn from ''The Daily Telegraph'' branded the character a "yuppie accountant".[ A writer from '']The Observer
''The Observer'' is a British newspaper published on Sundays. First published in 1791, it is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.
In 1993 it was acquired by Guardian Media Group Limited, and operated as a sister paper to ''The Guardian'' ...
'' similarly branded the Huntingtons a "yuppie couple". ''The Observer's'' Kathryn Flett branded her a "ghastly yuppie". Sophie McCoid and James Rodger (''Birmingham Mail
The ''Birmingham Mail'' (branded the ''Black Country Mail'' in the Black Country and ''Birmingham Live'' online) is a tabloid newspaper based in Birmingham, England, but distributed around Birmingham, the Black Country, and Solihull and parts ...
'') stated that Heather "soon became one of the show's most popular residents."[ A writer for The Guide Liverpool branded Heather a "high flying, urban professional" who "endured a lot of heart ache in her four years on the close including cheating hubby's, car accidents and drug abuse." Daniel Kilkelly writing for ]Digital Spy
Digital Spy (DS) is a British-based entertainment, television and film website and brand and is the largest digital property at Hearst UK. Since its initial launch in 1999, Digital Spy has focused on entertainment news related to television pro ...
described the character as "career-minded". He assessed that she "certainly wore the trousers in her relationship" with Roger and that her second marriage was "even more of a disaster". James Moore and Clare Goldwin from the ''Daily Mirror
The ''Daily Mirror'' is a British national daily Tabloid journalism, tabloid newspaper. Founded in 1903, it is part of Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), which is owned by parent company Reach plc. From 1985 to 1987, and from 1997 to 2002, the tit ...
'' said that Heather's "top storyline" was "discovering her husband had cheated on her." ''Inside Soap'' ran a feature compiling "The 100 greatest soap stories ever told". They featured Nick hiding his heroin addiction from Heather as their 69th choice.
References
;Bibliography
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Haversham, Heather
Brookside characters
Fictional accountants
Northern Irish female characters in television
Television characters introduced in 1982
Fictional people from Liverpool
British female characters in soap operas