Molly Dobbs

Molly Dobbs (also Compton) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street. Played by Vicky Binns, she debuted on 5 September 2005. Introduced as the daughter of a local baker, she is the love interest and later wife of Tyrone Dobbs. On 6 May 2010, Binns announced she was quitting the soap. Molly was killed off on 9 December 2010 in a live episode celebrating the show's 50th anniversary, by a tram crashing into the corner shop.

The character of Molly was introduced as the daughter of local baker Diggory Compton (Eric Potts) in 2005. She was a former classmate of character Fiz Brown (Jennie McAlpine); Molly was very resentful against Fiz, who had bullied her at school. She worked in the bakery until her father's departure and worked briefly as a kennel-maid before becoming an assistant to Dev Alahan (Jimmi Harkishin) at the Corner Shop.

Vicky Binns was selected to join Coronation Street as a rival for at-the-time already established character Fiz Brown. In real life, Binns is the best friend of actress Jennie McAlpine who plays Fiz. She told the Manchester Evening News: "They brought me in to play her rival, which is ridiculous. It really requires some acting.". In April 2010 Binns announced that she had quit the show and will leave at the end of her contract which she did when she was killed off in the 50th anniversary when a tram crashed of the viaduct and destroyed the corner shop which Molly was in at the time.

The Coronation Street official website described Molly as a bubbly, optimistic, friendly and outgoing character. She first arrived in Weatherfield after her father bought the bakery in May 2005. There were rumours that she would leave along with her father in July 2006, but she stayed on. Binns says she is grateful that her character appears to be "un-trendy". Molly's look changed a little at the beginning of 2008 after Binns went on a strict weight loss regime. The producer was supportive of Binns and did not mind changing Molly's appearance slightly. Binns stated in another interview that Molly is stubborn and that honesty is the element of a relationship she wants most, which was why she was reluctant to forgive Tyrone for his deception.

Another focal point of the character's style is the rucksack which she carried frequently. Binns once stated that she did not think her character would ever stop wearing it. Gareth McLean of the Radio times even joked that when Molly and Kevin Webster consummated their relationship, he doubted Molly would remove her rucksack.

Molly's relationship with Tyrone Dobbs (Alan Halsall) began in 2006. Their relationship has been long-term and appeared perfect to begin with. After Molly moves into number 9 to be with Tyrone permanently she wants to take her relationship to the next level and forms a close bond with Vera Duckworth (Elizabeth Dawn) who Tyrone regarded as his mother. She even turns to her for advice on furthering her relationship with Tyrone, in scenes which Binns said were really funny. The media called the pairing the next 'Jack and Vera' with the show's bosses even stating their potential. Actress Vicky Binns stated in an interview that she was flattered but thought they could never replace the couple: "You can't really replace anyone like that. The show progresses and changes so much with new characters you don't even know if they'll keep Molly and Tyrone together. But I suppose Molly is quite bossy and, like Vera, will keep Tyrone under her thumb." The characters go on to buy their own home together and eventually get engaged. They hit one of their first difficulties when Molly finds out that Tyrone has been selling illegal goods with her Aunt, Pam Hobsworth (Kate Anthony). Vicky Binns also revealed that she and Alan Halsall, who plays Tyrone, work so well together and hope that they had many more scenes to come and she also stated that in real life, fans approach her in the street to ask where Tyrone is.

Tyrone's best friend and colleague, Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell), begins a sexual affair with Molly in 2009, but on Christmas Day that year, he ends the affair after discovering his wife, Sally (Sally Dynevor), has breast cancer.

Molly is introduced as the daughter of local baker, Diggory Compton (Eric Potts). When she first arrives, it becomes clear that she was a victim of bullying at school, particularly by Fiz Brown (Jennie McAlpine). Molly starts to work for Fiz's boyfriend Kirk Sutherland (Andrew Whyment), whom she flirts with to get revenge on Fiz and wind her up.