List of Coronation Street Characters (2002) - Craig Harris

Craig Alexander Harris (previously Nelson), was played by Richard Fleeshman. In real life, Fleeshman's parents David Fleeshman and Sue Jenkins had also starred in Coronation Street; Sue played Gloria Todd and David played Mr. Austin.

Craig is the son of Angela and Tommy Harris. He enters the series in November 2002 as Craig Nelson, under the witness protection programme. His mother Angela has witnessed a murder in their home city of Sheffield and the family move away to Weatherfield. He later uses his real surname Harris once the family's cover is blown and they decide to stay in Weatherfield.

When his sister Katy Harris starts dating Martin Platt, her father's friend, who is 20 years older than she is, it causes Tommy and Angela to split up. Upset at this, Craig tampers with the brakes on Martin's car, hoping to split Martin and Katy up and bring back peace to his family. Unfortunately, Katy gets in the car with Martin. Craig tells his father and they race to the rescue. Martin decides not to press charges once he finds out the truth.

Tommy and Angela get back together when they realise how much their problems are affecting Craig. Craig starts dating Rosie Webster, and the two become goths. They decide to sleep together, but at the last minute decide that it would be best not to. However, Tommy finds a condom Craig has been planning to use and, thinking his son has slept with Rosie, punches him in the face.

Despite this, Craig is devastated when his father is killed in March 2005, after sustaining a blow to the head with a wrench. He discovers that Katy committed manslaughter after discovering Tommy had lied to her over Martin having an affair, which caused her to abort her and Martin's child. Katy confronts Tommy and he infuriates her so much that she grabs a wrench and hits him with it. Angela takes the blame for the kill, despite seeing what Katy has done and is sent to prison. Katy, a diabetic, commits suicide by eating a vast quantity of sugar.

Craig then lives with grandfather Keith Appleyard, who, having decided that Craig has suffered enough problems, chooses to move to Weatherfield rather than taking Craig back to Sheffield. He breaks up with Rosie for a while after she makes an insensitive remark about his family, but they put their differences behind them and get back together again. They then decide to have sex and sleep together despite being underage and Keith and his girlfriend Audrey Roberts catch Rosie trying to sneak out of the house the morning afterward. Rosie's parents find out on New Year's Eve when Sally Webster goes round to wish the pair happy New Year- Craig answers the door in a dressing gown, and, seeing Rosie's dress lying on the sofa, goes upstairs to find a naked Rosie in Craig's bed.

The pair are banned from seeing each other, despite their protests. After a while, Sally and Kevin warm towards Craig after seeing how devoted he is to Rosie, and Kevin offers Craig an apprenticeship at his garage (incidentally, this is where Craig's father Tommy worked and was murdered).

Throughout his time on the Street Craig is friends with neighbour David Platt and has a part-time job in the corner shop. Craig is devastated when Keith tells him that builder Charlie Stubbs is evicting them from their house and that they are going to be moving away somewhere new for a fresh start.

ITV announced in early June 2006 that Richard Fleeshman would be leaving the soap in the autumn of 2006. It was his decision to quit the role of Craig Harris in order to pursue a pop career.

Craig and Rosie hatch a plan to run away to Berlin together, to start a new life. When they are just about to get on to the Train Rosie freezes and tells Craig that she cannot leave her family behind. After a long and tearful goodbye, Craig tears himself away from his sweetheart and boards the train leaving Paris, Weatherfield and his longtime girlfriend behind him.