Simon Barlow is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street and has been played by Alex Bain since 2008. The character was originally played by twins, Jake and Oscar Hartley, on his birth in 2003. Simon is the son of Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) and Lucy Richards (Katy Carmichael), the adoptive son of Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) and the grandson of Ken Barlow (William Roache). His storylines have included his mother's death, a custody battle between Peter and his maternal grandfather, a custody battle between Peter and Leanne, physically abusing Leanne, and dealing drugs.
Storylines
Simon is born in July 2003 to Lucy Richards (Katy Carmichael), who had already split up with Simon's father Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne). On learning that he had married his girlfriend, Shelley Unwin (Sally Lindsay), when they had married first - she told Shelley that her marriage was illegal. In revenge, Lucy tricked Peter into thinking they had a future together by moving Spain for a fresh start, then, in front of pub regulars, announced she and Simon were emigrating to Australia to get away from Peter. He then raced to the airport and caught up with them to try and stop Lucy from boarding the plane however Peter’s father, Ken Barlow (William Roache) stopped him from trying to take Simon knowing that Lucy would tell the police about his bigamy. Peter resigned himself to the fact that he would never know Simon and left Weatherfield soon after.
Peter is awarded custody of Simon when Lucy dies from ovarian cancer in October 2008 and they move in with Ken, his wife Deirdre Barlow (Anne Kirkbride) and her mother Blanche Hunt (Maggie Jones). Peter, at first reluctant to take an active role in raising Simon, changes his mind when he found out that Lucy had left her estate to him, on the condition that he raises Simon. Peter buys the local bookmaker's shop and moves in there with Simon. Peter's drinking problem becomes evident when he comes to Simon's Nativity play, drunk and has a row with teaching staff in December 2008. Simon stays with Ken, Deirdre and Blanche until Peter agrees to stop drinking, but in March 2009, Peter passes out with a lit cigarette in his hand, and the flat caught fire. Luke Strong (Craig Kelly) and Tony Gordon (Gray O'Brien) break the door down, after Deirdre alerts them as Simon had telephoned her before he passed out due to smoke inhalation. Peter and Simon are rushed to hospital and made a full recovery. Peter vows once more to give up alcohol.
Learning that he had a grandson, Peter is surprised to meet Lucy's father, George Wilson (Anthony Valentine) in November 2009. He had separated from Lucy's mother when she was very young and their relationship had suffered. George is determined not to make the same mistake with Simon and Peter's girlfriend Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) persuades Peter to allow George and his partner, Eve, access. George also invests in the bar that Peter and Leanne intended to open but Ken's worst fears come true when Peter falls off the wagon again and George wins interim custody of Simon in February 2010. In March 2010, while on holiday in Blackpool, Simon runs away after hearing George telling Eve that he intends to take Simon down to Kent to live and he makes his way home alone, scaring everyone in the process. While Peter and Leanne are proud that Simon travelled all that way alone, they made sure he knew that was very wrong. Simon is devastated when Blanche died in May 2010. In August 2010, Simon had a fight with Aadi Alahan (Zennon Ditchett) while playing a game and Aadi hits his head on a table, leading him to be rushed to hospital when he fell unconscious. Simon does not tell anyone and feels guilty over the incident, while Aadi's parents Dev (Jimmi Harkishin) and Sunita Alahan (Shobna Gulati) accuse Claire Peacock (Julia Haworth) of negligence. Simon revealed the truth about Aadi's injury after Peter questions him about his erratic behaviour. Peter tells Dev and Sunita the facts, clearing Claire's name.