Kayleigh Morton
| Kayleigh Morton | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coronation Street character | |||||||||
| This file may be deleted at any time. | |||||||||
| Portrayed by | Jessica Barden | ||||||||
| Duration | 2007-2008 | ||||||||
| First appearance | 18 March 2007 | ||||||||
| Last appearance | 29 September 2008 | ||||||||
| Classification | Present; regular | ||||||||
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Kayleigh Morton is a member of the morton clan and lived at No. 6 with the rest of her family until dad Jerry moved the family to Spain, and is played by Jessica Barden.
Development
In April 2008 she was axed by new producer Kim Crowther which led to her on-screen departure in September along with the rest of the Morton family (except Darryl).[1]
Stroylines
Arrival
Kayleigh first arrived on Coronation Street on 18 March 2007 with her dad, grandad and siblings Jodie, Mel and Daryl. Her family were giving their neighbours headaches after just a few hours on the street with their loud music.
Problems at School
On her first day at Weatherfield High Sophie Webster and Chesney Battersby-Brown told her about the teachers and Sophie told Kayleigh how the teachers would take her rings off of her. Instead of going to school she went home and when Jerry found her he asked why she wasn't at school. An argument ensued and Kayleigh snapped that she wished she could go back and live with her mum. Realising he couldn't keep her with him against her will, Jerry was forced to agree to Kayleigh's wishes and phoned Teresa. Kayleigh was delighted to be going back to live with her mum but it was clear that Jerry was devastated. Kayleigh left the following day. A pattern soon emerged of her regular and lengthy visits to her father's house. Jodie noticed how Kayleigh was very quick at eating her breakfast and that she kept requesting money. After several days, Jerry offered to drop her off as he was suspicious of the situation. It turned out that Teresa had gone on holiday and left Kayleigh to look after her six year old half-brother Finlay whilst she was away. As a result of this, she has temporarily moved back into her dad's house with Finlay. Teresa turned up a few weeks later. Jerry had taken her TV away and several other electrical items. She didn't seem that bothered about her kids and only wanted her TV back. She agreed to let Jerry keep the kids if she could have her telly back. Jerry agreed to this.
Relationship with Chesney
Kayleigh was furious when she found out that Jodie had stolen Chesney's dog Schmical. Jodie had been involved in a feud with Chesney's mum Cilla Battersby-Brown for weeks as the Mortons take away business had stolen the chip shops (where Cilla worked) customers. Kayleigh found out and returned the dog to Chesney. On 3 September 2007, Kayleigh got drunk with her friends. The girls were alone in a house and Jodie was annoyed when Kayleigh phoned asking to be picked up. Jerry was on his date with Eileen Grimshaw and was unable to pick her up. (Jodie couldn't do it as she'd had a drink). Lloyd Mullaney offered to pick Kayleigh up in his taxi. When they arrived back, it was revealed that Kayleigh had been sick in the back seat. Jerry was furious when he found out and informed Kayleigh that she was grounded. Kayleigh acted up when Eileen Grimshaw, Jerry's new girlfriend babysat her while Jodie went out on a date with local cabbie, Lloyd Mullaney. Kayleigh tried to sneak out of the house but was caught. She later lied to Jodie about Eileen hitting her. Kayleigh is set for romance with Chesney Battersby-Brown. She shared a kiss with Chesney later in August, but Chesney was later saved by Kayleigh from her lover, Kenzie Judd, who beat Chesney for taking Kayleigh,who had previously been seen robbing the Kabin in May 2008.
Departure
In September 2008, Kayleigh was last seen waving out of a taxi window as she departed Weatherfield for a new life in Spain with her father and Finlay.