David Platt
Played by: Thomas Ormson (1990-200), Jack P Shepherd (2000 onward)
Born: 25th December 1990
Family:
Gail Platt: Mother
Martin Platt: Father
Nicholas Tilsley: Half Brother
Sarah Louise Platt: Half Sister
Bethany Platt: Niece
Audrey Roberts: Grandmother
Kylie Turner: Ex Wife
Shona Ramsey: Wife
Lily Platt: Daughter
Richard Hillman: Ex Step father
Joe Macintyre: Ex Step Father
First Appearance: 25th December 1990
David Platt made his first appearance on the street when he was born in the Rovers Return on Christmas Day 1990. His early years depict him as a sweet child who became a victim of his surroundings rather than the driver of his own story lines. Nanny from hell, Carmel Finnan, posed as David’s mother as part of her attempt to steal his father, Martin Platt from David’s real mother, Gail. He shoplifted out of jealousy of his new born niece, Bethany. He also acted up when his parents split up.
After surviving the mass murder attempt by his step-father, Richard Hillman, David’s behaviour took a darker turn. He set up a campaign against Gail’s next partner, Phil. Phil gets to a breaking point and pins David up against a wall. When David tells his mum, Phil lies in defense and Gail ends up slapping David. The teenage tearaway takes his revenge by sending cards from Richard Hillman. Gail sets up a trap for her son, lying about Richard’s birth date. When a card comes through, Gail knows it is David.
Maria Sutherland becomes his teenage crush; she is having an affair with builder, Charlie Stubbs, which upsets David. After trying to blackmail the builder, David is threatened and Charlie tries to drown him. Maria enters and saves David’s life.
Further mixing with Charlie comes when he agrees to be a witness for Tracy Barlow in exchange for sex. The court deems that his statement of witnessing an attack by Charlie on Tracy is false.
David settles down with Tina McIntyre. The on an off relationship creates an on-going feud with Gary Windass. When Tina aborts David’s baby, she initially kept it a secret. David finds out and further hurt is caused when he finds out Gail helped Tina. David pushes Gail drown the stairs causing drastic injuries to his mum. He lashes out in the street, smashing windows and hitting a police woman. He is sentenced to three months.
His next relationship is with Kylie Turner, David fights for the custody of her son, Max. The relationship is rocky and Kylie has an affair with David’s older Brother Nick Tilsley, but David causes a car accident which results in permanent brain damage to Nick.
David helps to hide Callum Logan’s body when Kylie kills him. The body is discovered but the murder is pinned on someone else. Kylie is later stabbed, dying in David’s arms.
David’s most noticeable story line came when he was the victim of male rape. The incident would cause on-going trauma for David and would result in him beating up and injuring Gary Windass is a boxing match.
David and Nick plan to steal money from their grandmother, Audrey Roberts. He is arrested and sentenced to prison. During a riot, he is confronted by his rapist, Josh Tucker, whilst inside. He has the chance to stab him but doesn’t.
David is relieved when Josh is sentenced to 15 years.
Jack P Shepherd took over the role of David in 2000. Originally a cheeky but naughty child, the nation grew to hate the tearaway teen for the way he treated his mother, Gail.
His fifteen year relationship with Lauren Shippey resulted in two children. After a one night stand, Shepherd fathered a further child although it is reported that he has not met this child. The relationship ended in 2017.
Outside of the street, he has appeared in West Side Story and Oliver! Prior to taking on the role of David Platt, Shepherd appeared in an episode of Where the Heart is, and, alongside future on-screen Sister Tina O’Brien, in Clocking Off.
In 2008, he was nominated for four British Soap Awards, including Villain of the Year which he won. Ten years later, he would win a British Soap Award for Best Actor. In total he has been nominated for ten awards for his role on Coronation Street.
To celebrate the 1000th episode of The Jeremy Kyle Show, David, Nick and Tina appeared on a specially written show. David accuses his half brother, Nick of having an affair with Tina. Drama follows in true Jeremy Kyle fashion.
Although the character has not appeared on any specific releases dedicated to him, he does feature on the cover of the Network Release of Coronation Street 2000-2009. He also appears in the book: Coronation Street: The Complete Saga. Normal Bates with a Briefcase: The Story of Richard Hillman.
“Mum I’m a firm believer in marriage, the more the merrier. I wonder where I get that from.”
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