ITV/ Shutterstock Share By Laura Morgan Dec 23 2025 By Laura Morgan Dec 23 2025 Coronation Street Christmas births and deaths, unexpected arrivals and dramatic departures There have been a fair few over the years David Platt Gail Platt Nick Tilsley Rosie Webster Share By Laura Morgan Dec 23 2025 By Laura Morgan Dec 23 2025 Births and deaths have been the theme for many a Christmas in Coronation Street. It’s the most wonderful time of the year to welcome a new life onto the cobbles, and also favourite for killing characters off. Some of the soap’s most iconic locals have been born at Christmas – from David Platt to Rosie Webster, Nick Tilsley to little Joseph Brown. And Audrey Roberts has lost two loves in her life over the festive period. Can you remember who they were? Here’s a full run down of all the Corrie Christmas hatches and dispatches. Nick was the first Corrie baby to be born at Christmas (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) Coronation Street Christmas births Nick Tilsley Nick was born on New Year’s Eve 1980, which we still think technically counts as a festive birth. He was the first child of Gail Chadwick, back when she was Gail Tilsley and married to mechanic Brian. The couple were overjoyed with their son, who they named Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Paul Tilsley, and Nick hero worshipped his dad. After Brian’s fatal stabbing in 1989, Nick was adopted by Gail’s second husband Martin Platt. Rosie Webster Christmas came early for Sally and Kevin Webster with the arrival of their daughter, Rosie, on December 24, 1990. Sally went into labour when she was at home alone and local taxi driver Don Brennan drove her to hospital. But they didn’t get as far as Weatherfield General when Sal ended up giving birth in the back seat of Don’s cab. She and Kevin called their first-born Rosie after her place of birth – Rosamund Street. Article Continues Below Read all the latest Spoilers Gail and Sally had their babies a day apart (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) Coronation Street: Christmas births David Platt One day after Rosie’s birth, there was another new arrival on the cobbles. Gail and Martin Platt welcomed their son David Platt into the world on Christmas Day 1990. Unlike Sally, Gail did make it to hospital in time. Katherine McDonald Katherine ‘Katie’ McDonald was Liz and Jim’s third child, and only daughter. She was born prematurely on January 1, 1992 when Liz went into early labour after the disappearance of her son, Steve. Katie was placed in intensive care and doctors told her family to prepare for the worst. Sadly the tot lived just one day. She was buried a week later by Jim, Liz and son Andy. Steve stayed away because he blamed himself for Liz’s premature labour. Judy and Gary had a double Christmas miracle (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) William and Rebecca Mallett There was cause for a double celebration on Christmas Day 1998 when barmaid Judy Mallett gave birth to twins, William and Rebecca. Judy and her husband Gary feared they’d never become parents after she struggled to fall pregnant. The couple named their twins, who were born an hour apart, William (Billy) and Rebecca (Becky). Tragedy struck in September 1999 when Judy died of an embolism, and Gary later moved away with the twins. More Coronation Street Christmas births Baby Ben made his arrival on Christmas Day (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) Ben Watts Little Ben arrived via a speedy homebirth after his mum Emma went into labour on Boxing Day 2001. Emma’s cries were heard by nosey neighbour Norris Cole, who was forced to roll up his sleeves and act as a midwife until the real ones arrived. Emma and husband Curly gave their son the name Ben in honour of Norris’s middle name Benjamin. In 2003, the Watts family left Weatherfield to a start a new life in Newcastle. Joseph Brown It was another decade before the next Christmas baby on the cobbles. Little Joseph was born to teenage parents Katy Armstrong and Chesney Brown. Katy went into labour on December 23, 2011 while playing Mary in the local school nativity play. She gave birth on the stage with a shocked Chesney by her side. The couple decided to stay in keeping with the religious theme by calling their son Joseph. Sonny Jeffries Little Sonny was the product of an affair between Robert Preston and Vicky Jefferies. When Robert’s fiancée Michelle Connor discovered the betrayal she and Vicky plotted their revenge. They framed Robert for Vicky’s ‘murder’, but the plan went wrong when Vicky went into labour while hiding out at the Heffernan Lodge Hotel. She gave birth to her son there, on December 23, 2019. Robert was later murdered by gunman Derek Milligan, leaving poor Sonny without a father. Coronation Street Christmas deaths Joe Donelli This is one for the OG Corrie fans. Joe was an American GI with a murderous background. He came to Weatherfield after fleeing the army and set his sights on Irma Barlow. Joe later held Irma hostage at gunpoint after confessing to killing his old comrade Steve Tanner. She managed to escape, Joe turned the gun on himself and pulled the trigger. He died on December 21, 1970. Alf’s death broke Audrey’s heart (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock) Alf Roberts Former grocer and Weatherfield mayor Alf was a pillar of the community and Audrey’s adored husband. He died on New Year’s Eve 1998 after attending the 18th birthday party of Audrey’s grandson Nick Tilsley. Worn out by the festivities, Alf sat in the sofa and suffered a fatal stroke. The decision to kill the character off was made by Corrie bosses after actor Bryan Mosley became seriously ill. Tragically, just six weeks after Alf’s on-screen death, Bryan passed away. Coronation Street Christmas deaths Simon Simon was a 10-year-old lad who was rushed to Weatherfield General on Christmas Day 1999 after being knocked over his bike. He was treated by nurses Martin Platt and Rebecca Hopkins, but sadly couldn’t be saved. Simon’s death led to the start of Martin and Rebecca’s affair, which would end his marriage to Gail. Lewis Archer Former con artist Lewis Archer was determined 2019 was going to be his year. But it wasn’t to be. Lewis was discovered lying dead on the floor of girlfriend Audrey Roberts’ bedroom on New Year’s Day, clutching a box with an engagement ring inside. Lewis was planning on popping the question to Audrey, who was left heartbroken by his passing. Coronation Street Christmas deaths continued Derek Milligan Derek was a dodgy businessman who fell into debt with loan shark Gary Windass. His fate was sealed when he ended up double-crossing Gary Windass. Derek plotted to shoot Gary, but unlucky Robert Preston was caught in the crossfire. Derek ended up meeting his own unfortunate end when he fell from a helter-skelter in the middle of the Street’s Christmas celebrations. Robert Preston Robert was the former husband of Tracy Barlow. He returned to the cobbles in 2016 as co-owner of Nick’s Bistro and embarked on a romance with Michelle Connor. On their wedding day, Michelle exposed Robert’s affair with Vicky Jefferies, who was pregnant with his child. Derek Milligan accidentally shot Robert who then died. He didn’t live to see the birth of his son. Read more: Coronation Street Christmas schedule confirmed, here’s when you can catch the soap over the festive season Share Good to Know Share By Laura Morgan Dec 23 2025 By Laura Morgan Dec 23 2025 Previous Story Next Story
