Storylines
Norris was born in March 1940. When he was twenty years old, his half-brother, Ramsay, whom Norris did not know existed, turned up after tracking down his mother. After the death of their mother, Eunice, Norris had a fight with Ramsay at the funeral and his brother left. Norris became a salesman and married a woman called Myrtle. Norris picks up Derek Wilton (Peter Baldwin) when he sees his car has broken down and gives him a lift home. Norris leaves his wife and moves in with Derek and Mavis, much to Mavis's horror. Norris later takes up residence with Emily Bishop (Eileen Derbyshire) and gets himself a job in at the Kabin, working with Rita Sullivan (Barbara Knox).
Norris got into a scrape with local killer Richard Hillman (Brian Capron) when convinced that Richard was after Emily's money and wanted her dead. He, along with Audrey Roberts, were convinced that Richard was a killer and tried to convince people in the street. It was later found out that Richard was a serial killer, and he met his demise after drowning in the canal while trying to kill his family. Norris proposes to Rita, with Rita declining Norris's proposal. On 25 November 2007, Norris proposes to Doreen Fenwick (Barbara Young) before he found out that both George Trench (Keith Barron) and Ivor Priestley (Paul Copley) had also proposed to her. She tells them all that she will think about their proposals while Rita describes them all as mad as each other.
Norris was caught in Jack Duckworth's bird cage, he was initially accused of fondling the pigeons, but it later emerged that he was attempting to milk the queen pigeon and so acquire mystical powers. Luckily Jack saw the funny side, and let Norris off, provided that he bought him a pint. Then in July, Norris and Emily slept together, however it was a one night stand as Emily felt guilty, as she knew Rita was in love with Norris. Another humorous mix up followed soon after when Norris was accused of being a member of Sinn Fein by Ken Barlow. However after a hilarious turn of events it was revealed that Norris had been mistaken for Gerry Adams (who had appeared on a previous episode as a special guest).
Rita employs Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan) to work at The Kabin, due to Norris having back problems. Norris takes an instant disliking to the situation. Later that month, Emily discovers ladies underwear in a bin bag of Norris's. Instantly suspicious, Tina and Rita confront Norris about it and ask him if he is a transvestite. He explains that he had won the underwear in a competition and that he has an addiction to competitions. Norris's friend, Mary Taylor (Patti Clare), arrives on the Street. The character is introduced for this specific storyline as Mary and Norris have an obsession with entering competitions. Mary lives with and takes care of her invalid mother and uses competitions as a way to enjoy life. Norris initially resents Mary, as she often beats him in competitions, but when they meet, they quickly become close, and Mary offers Norris one of the tickets she has won for a Cliff Richard concert. Mary begins to visit Norris more often. Norris's fellow lodger, Jed Stone (Kenneth Cope), enjoys flirting with Mary, but she only has eyes for Norris. Norris invites her to his home for Christmas. Mary returns, telling Norris they'd won a motor home. Norris is pleased, but begins to be concerned about how far she wants to take their relationship. In February, in the Rovers, they say an awkward goodbye to each other, Mary is expecting a kiss or a hug from Norris, but gets nothing, leaving her surprisingly devastated.
Mary subsequently returns, with the news that her mother has died. This brings her closer to Norris, as she is able to spend more time with him, but he remains uncertain about their relationship—not least as she seems to lack any real grief at her bereavement. She then invites him to accompany her on a world cruise, as she now has the time and (inheritance) money to enjoy life for the first time. Norris agrees to the tour but in contrast to Mary's excitement, he seems nervous and at times even reluctant about the enterprise. He reacts with shock to Rita's engagement to Colin Grimshaw (Edward DeSouza), and the two share a poignant moment in the Rovers. Genuinely wishing each other well, it is clear that Norris still harbours thoughts of what might have been. He is a great support to Rita when she later calls off the engagement after discovering that he fathered a child with a fourteen-year old girl.
Norris's half brother Ramsay Clegg (Andrew Sachs) turns up in Weatherfield looking to make amends with Norris who refuses to speak to him. Norris blames Ramsay for their mother's death, stating that the shock of his reappearance in her life caused her demise. Despite Ramsay's best efforts at a reconciliation, Norris refuses to see him as anything other than an illegitimate half brother and Ramsay eventually leaves the Street to return to Australia. Norris is left reeling at the news that Ramsay has died on the flight; he had an incurable brain tumour, which he never told Norris about. Some of Ramsay's possessions are left to Norris and amongst them is a letter written by their mother, who cruelly rejected Ramsay. Norris is left devastated that he had blamed Ramsay all along. After Ramsay's death in August 2009, Rita decides that life is too short and decides to sell up the Kabin. When Norris receives £172,000 pounds from Ramsay in his will, he buys the Kabin from Rita.
When Norris begins getting tired and needing a break, Mary suggests that she does some work in the Kabin so he can take a break. Mary enters a competition for them and if they win, they would win a week at a cottage in the countryside. She manages to win it and persuades Norris to attend, which he later agrees to. One of the nights that Norris and Mary are at the cottage, causes Norris to realise that Mary is trying to ensure that he cannot escape, and even witnesses Mary mentioning the two of them married; a horrific thought for Norris. She then breaks his glasses, leaving him more or less housebound, as his eyesight is quite poor. He attempts to escape from the cottage but Mary tracks him down. Eventually, he contacts the Police telling them that Mary is holding him captive. No charges are brought against her, and Norris subsequently makes amends with her.
Norris isn't pleased when Emily allows Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) and her daughter Amy (Elle Mulvaney) to live with them. When Tracy offers to clean the house for Emily, Norris puts a lock on his bedroom door so that Tracy is unable to get in to his room. When Tracy spots Norris go into his room she locks the door from the outside but Tracy eventually lets him out. Norris is annoyed when Amy spills paint on his shoes and Tracy tells Norris that Amy didn't mean to do it, but Norris tells Emily that he wants Tracy to move out.
Read more about this topic: Norris Cole