Lucy Fallon Explained

Lucy Fallon
Birth Name:Lucy Fallon
Birth Date:1995 11, df=yes
Birth Place:Blackpool, Lancashire, England
Occupation:Actress
Years Active:2015–present
Known For:Role of Bethany Platt in Coronation Street
Partner:Ryan Ledson (2020–present)
Children:1

Lucy Fallon (born 13 November 1995) is an English actress. She gained widespread recognition as Bethany Platt in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street (2015–2020, 2023–present). The role has earned her several accolades, including two British Soap Awards, an Inside Soap Award, and a National Television Award.

Early life

Lucy Fallon was born on 13 November 1995 in Blackpool, Lancashire,[1] to engineer Andrew Fallon and accountant Angela Fallon.[2] She grew up in Cleveleys, Lancashire,[3] [4] and has two older sisters, Rachel and Laura.[5]

From the age of two, Fallon studied singing, dancing and drama at the Barbara Jackson Theatre Arts Centre; since the age of eight, she had private drama classes, and also took the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) exams.[6] She first went to Hodgson Academy, and then attended the Blackpool Sixth Form College, where she achieved a Distinction Star and two Distinctions in BTEC Extended Diploma Performing Arts.[4] [7] For financial reasons, she declined offers from the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and ArtsEd to study musical theatre.[3] [6]

Before landing her role in Coronation Street, Fallon had several part-time jobs, including working at Subway, Next, New Look, and in the Merrie England bar on the Blackpool North Pier.[2] [3] [6] At the same time, she appeared as a dancer in the pantomime Sleeping Beauty at the Blackpool Grand Theatre.[5] [6]

Career

Coronation Street

Fallon made her professional acting debut in 2015 when she was cast as Bethany Platt, the daughter of Sarah Platt (Tina O'Brien), in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street.[8] A returning character, Bethany had been played by child actors Mia Cookson (2000) and twins Amy and Emily Walton (2000–2007), before Fallon took over.[9] She was 19 when she was cast to play the 14-year-old Bethany.[10] She was offered the role after it emerged that Katie Redford, the actress who was originally chosen for the part, had lied about her age.[8]

Fallon described Bethany as "a bit of a wild child. She's very feisty, but she does a lot of it to get a reaction."[6] The Guardians Hannah Verdier thought that she was "perfect" for the role and that her comedic skills were a "reincarnation of Joan Rivers, only with a Mancunian accent"; however, Steven D. Wright from the same newspaper felt that she was "far too old for her part."[11] [12] While on the soap, Fallon's character was involved in a highly publicised grooming and sexual exploitation storyline, which earned Fallon widespread acclaim.[13] Barbara Ellen of The Guardian found her performance "immaculate", while Daily Mirrors Ian Hyland wrote that scenes which saw Bethany survive a kidnapping to testify in court against her abuser gave Fallon "another chance to show what a fine actress she has become."[14] [15] Fallon won the Best Actress award at the 2017 Inside Soap Awards, the Outstanding Serial Drama Performance at the 2018 National Television Awards, and the Best Actress and Best Female Dramatic Performance at the 2018 British Soap Awards.[16] [17] [18]

Fallon left Coronation Street at the end of her contract in 2020 to pursue other projects,[19] and her final appearance aired on 4 March 2020.[20] In August 2023, it was reported that she would reprise her role in the series.[21] Her on-screen return was broadcast on New Year's Eve 2023.[22]

Other endeavours

Fallon competed in the ITV Christmas special All Star Musicals which aired on 24 December 2017 and was voted the winner for her rendition of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" from the musical Evita.[23] She was a contestant on the ITV reality miniseries Don't Rock the Boat in November 2020.[24]

Fallon starred as George alongside Pearl Mackie in the 2021 Audible horror series Sour Hall, set and recorded on a Yorkshire farm, which tells the story of a lesbian couple tormented by a Boggart.[25] [26] She was also cast in the titular role of Jazz in that year's BBC Radio 4 drama titled Jazz and Dice.[27] Fallon next appeared as Molly Seagrim in the 2023 miniseries reimagining of Henry Fieldings novel The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling titled Tom Jones.[28] [29]

In 2024, she starred in the ITVBe reality series Drama Queens.[30]

Personal life

Fallon has been in a relationship with footballer Ryan Ledson since 2020.[31] Having suffered a miscarriage in March 2022, she became pregnant again later that year,[32] and gave birth to their son on 30 January 2023.[33]

Filmography

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2015–2020,
2023–present
Coronation StreetBethany PlattRegular role[34]
2017All Star MusicalsHerselfContestant; winner
2020Don't Rock the BoatContestant
2023Tom JonesMolly SeagrimMiniseries; 2 episodes[35]
2024Drama QueensHerselfMain role

Audio

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
2015TV Choice AwardsBest Soap NewcomerCoronation Street[36]
Inside Soap AwardsBest Newcomer[37]
2017British Soap AwardsBest Actress[38]
TV Choice AwardsBest Soap Actress[39]
Inside Soap AwardsBest Actress
Best Partnership (shared with Colson Smith)[40]
RTS North West AwardsBest Performance in a Continuing Drama[41]
Digital Spy Reader AwardsBest Soap Actress[42]
2018National Television AwardsOutstanding Serial Drama Performance
TRIC AwardsBest Soap Actor[43]
British Soap AwardsBest Actress
Best Female Dramatic Performance
TV Choice AwardsBest Soap Actress[44]
Inside Soap AwardsBest Actress[45]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Famous People from Blackpool. Blackpool Grand Theatre. 28 April 2020. 1 October 2023. https://archive.today/20231001132050/https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/famous-people-from-blackpool. 1 October 2023. live.
  2. News: Killelea. Amanda. Coronation Street star Lucy Fallon tells of fallout from harrowing Bethany Platt grooming plot. Daily Mirror. 2 June 2017. 19 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201119144816/https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/coronation-street-star-lucy-fallon-10549954. 19 November 2020. dead.
  3. News: Blackpool's Lucy to hit the Corrie cobbles. Blackpool Gazette. 29 January 2015. 13 November 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150201045045/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/what-s-on/theatre-comedy/blackpool-s-lucy-to-hit-the-corrie-cobbles-1-7079418. 1 February 2015. live.
  4. News: Big Corrie role for Lucy. Blackpool Sixth Form College. 2015. 13 November 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122120636/https://blackpoolsixth.ac.uk/the-college/blog/big-corrie-role-for-lucy/. 22 November 2018. live.
  5. Web site: Gardner. Alison. 'Bethany's the best fun to play!' says Corrie's Lucy Fallon. 24 June 2015. What's on TV. Time Inc. UK. 22 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122120132/https://www.whatsontv.co.uk/coronation-street-home/corrie-news/bethany-s-the-best-fun-to-play-says-corrie-s-lucy-fallon-100151/. 22 November 2018. live.
  6. Web site: Kilkelly. Daniel. Coronation Street newcomer Lucy Fallon: 'Bethany is a wild child'. Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. 10 March 2015. 25 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122121216/http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/news/a634299/coronation-street-newcomer-lucy-fallon-bethany-is-a-wild-child/. 22 November 2018. live.
  7. Web site: Lights, camera, action as Corrie goes live for Lucy and Hayley. 23 September 2015. Blackpool Gazette. 6 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170107005035/https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/whats-on/tv-and-film/lights-camera-action-as-corrie-goes-live-for-lucy-and-hayley-1-7476130. 7 January 2017. live.
  8. Web site: New actress cast as Coronation Street's Bethany Platt. 29 January 2015. BBC News Online. BBC. 22 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122155528/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-31036858. 22 November 2018. live.
  9. Web site: The Coronation Street child actors who have been replaced over the years. Fitzpatrick. Katie. 20 August 2017. Manchester Evening News. 22 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122124454/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/coronation-street-corrie-child-actors-13487499. 22 November 2018. live.
  10. News: Kilkelly. Daniel. Coronation Street: Lucy Fallon cast as new Bethany Platt. Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. 29 January 2015. 19 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122125446/http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/news/a625168/coronation-street-lucy-fallon-cast-as-new-bethany-platt/. 22 November 2018. live.
  11. Web site: Verdier. Hannah. Coronation Street: it's double trouble on the cobbles as Sarah and Bethany return. The Guardian. 10 April 2015. 22 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122154208/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/apr/10/coronation-street-world-of-lather. 22 November 2018. live.
  12. Web site: Wright. Steven D. From cobbles to cobblers: Coronation Street has lost the plot. The Guardian. 17 August 2015. 22 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122154006/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2015/aug/17/coronation-street-lost-the-plot-cobblers. 22 November 2018. live.
  13. Web site: Archer. Katie. Corrie's Lucy Fallon praised for portrayal of abused teenager Bethany Platt. Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 1 June 2017. 22 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170702075741/https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/television/tv-news/corries-lucy-fallon-praised-for-portrayal-of-abused-teenager-bethany-platt-35780585.html. 2 July 2017. live.
  14. Web site: Ellen. Barbara. The week in TV: Three Girls; Coronation Street; Ivanka Trump: America's Real First Lady; Veep. The Guardian. 21 May 2017. 22 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122144633/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/may/21/three-girls-tv-review-coronation-street-ivanka-trump-the-real-lady-veep. 22 November 2018. live.
  15. Web site: Hyland. Ian. Coronation Street is back to its best as raw emotion tugged at the heart strings. Daily Mirror. 2 October 2017. 23 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191223195811/https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-reviews/coronation-street-back-best-raw-11277107. 23 December 2019. live.
  16. Web site: Dainty. Sophie. Emmerdale wins best soap at the Inside Soap Awards for the third year running. Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. 6 November 2017. 12 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122125714/http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/news/a842388/emmerdale-wins-best-soap-inside-soap-awards/. 22 November 2018. live.
  17. Web site: Lazarus. Susanna. National Television Awards 2018: winners in full. Radio Times. 23 January 2018. 23 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122125834/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-01-23/national-television-awards-2018-winners-in-full/. 22 November 2018. live.
  18. Web site: Kilkelly. Daniel. British Soap Awards 2018 winners: Find out which of your favourite shows and stars won a trophy. Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. 2 June 2018. 3 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122130004/http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/news/a858581/british-soap-awards-2018-winners-list/. 22 November 2018. live.
  19. Web site: Harp. Justin. Coronation Street confirms another shock exit as Lucy Fallon will leave as Bethany Platt. Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. 2 May 2019. 2 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190502201932/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a27346456/coronation-street-lucy-fallon-quitting-bethany-platt/. 2 May 2019. live.
  20. Web site: Anderton. Joe. Coronation Street airs Bethany Platt's exit after Daniel Osbourne's disastrous proposal. Digital Spy. 4 March 2020. 4 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20231001135014/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a31228909/coronation-street-bethany-platt-exit-daniel-proposal/. 1 October 2023. live.
  21. Web site: Coronation Street's Lucy Fallon returning to Bethany Platt role . . 5 August 2023 . 5 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230806172236/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a44741904/coronation-street-cast-lucy-fallon-return-bethany-platt/ . 6 August 2023 . live.
  22. Web site: Chase. Stephanie. Dainty. Sophie. Coronation Street star Lucy Fallon teases secret in Bethany Platt return plot. Digital Spy. 15 December 2023. 20 December 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231220005135/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a46145085/coronation-street-lucy-fallon-bethany-return-secret/. 20 December 2023. live.
  23. Web site: Fitzpatrick. Katie. Lucy Fallon tipped for West End stardom as she wins All Star Musicals. Manchester Evening News. 24 December 2017. 27 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122130103/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/all-star-musicals-lucy-fallon-14080028. 22 November 2018. live.
  24. Web site: Edwards. Chris. Coronation Street and Love Island stars join line-up for "gruelling" new ITV reality show Don't Rock the Boat. Digital Spy. 16 August 2020. 17 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200817155239/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a33615638/coronation-street-love-island-itv-reality-show-dont-rock-the-boat/. 17 August 2020. live.
  25. Web site: Harp. Justin. Doctor Who and Coronation Street stars' new LGBTQ+ horror series unveils first-look trailer. Digital Spy. 20 January 2021. 22 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20231001134325/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a35269509/pearl-mackie-lucy-fallon-audible-sour-hall-buy/. 1 October 2023. live.
  26. Web site: Seddon. Dan. Coronation Street's Lucy Fallon lands first role away from the soap. Digital Spy. 29 October 2020. 30 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20231001134417/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a34521621/coronation-street-lucy-fallon-radio-play/. 1 October 2023. live.
  27. Web site: Jazz and Dice. BBC. 26 September 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230926152215/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000wrn2. 26 September 2023. live.
  28. Web site: Petski. Denise. 'Ted Lasso's Hannah Waddingham Joins 'Tom Jones' Reimagining For Masterpiece. Deadline Hollywood. 30 September 2021. 2 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211002094655/https://deadline.com/2021/09/ted-lasso-hannah-waddingham-tom-jones-reimagining-masterpiece-1234847229/. 2 October 2021. live.
  29. Web site: Lane. Carly. 'Ted Lasso's Hannah Waddingham Joins the Cast of 'Tom Jones' PBS Miniseries. Collider. 30 September 2021. 5 November 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211105182624/https://collider.com/hannah-waddingham-cast-tom-jones-pbs-miniseries/. 5 November 2021. live.
  30. Web site: Warner. Sam. EastEnders and Hollyoaks star Rita Simons joins ITV's new soap reality show. Digital Spy. 27 March 2024. 29 March 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240329150325/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hollyoaks/a60318033/eastenders-hollyoaks-rita-simons-drama-queens/. 29 March 2024. live.
  31. Web site: Seddon. Dan. Coronation Street's Lucy Fallon addresses claims she's split from boyfriend. Digital Spy. 24 December 2021. 30 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220930154112/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a38609273/coronation-street-lucy-fallon-denies-boyfriend-split/. 30 September 2022. live.
  32. Web site: Anderton. Joe. Coronation Street's Lucy Fallon pregnant with her first child. Digital Spy. 26 September 2022. 30 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220926075652/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a41382286/coronation-street-lucy-fallon-pregnant-first-child/. 26 September 2022. live.
  33. Web site: Anderton. Joe. Coronation Street's Lucy Fallon welcomes baby boy and shares first photo. Digital Spy. 6 February 2023. 6 February 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230206194814/https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/a42771742/coronation-street-lucy-fallon-baby-first-photo/. 6 February 2023. live.
  34. Web site: Lucy Fallon: Coronation Street's Bethany Platt is latest star to leave. BBC News. 3 May 2019. 1 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231001133845/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-48148845. 1 October 2023. live.
  35. Web site: Tom Jones (2023) credits. Metacritic. 12 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231012150553/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/tom-jones-2023/credits/. 12 October 2023. live.
  36. Web site: New Corrie star Lucy shines in TV award shortlist. Blackpool Gazette. 1 July 2015. 27 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122131642/https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/whats-on/tv-and-film/new-corrie-star-lucy-shines-in-tv-award-shortlist-1-7336004. 22 November 2018. live.
  37. News: Revealed – the shortlist for the Inside Soap Awards 2015!. Inside Soap. Hearst Communications. 29 September 2015. 13 September 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151004222127/http://www.insidesoap.co.uk/revealed-the-shortlist-for-the-inside-soap-awards-2015/. 4 October 2015. dead.
  38. Web site: Brown. David. British Soap Awards 2017 – full shortlist sees EastEnders miss out in Best Actor Category. Radio Times. 9 May 2017. 9 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122131500/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2017-05-09/british-soap-awards-2017-full-shortlist-sees-eastenders-miss-out-in-best-actor-category/. 22 November 2018. live.
  39. Web site: Royal showdown as The Crown battles Victoria at TV Choice Awards. The Irish News. 26 June 2017. 27 June 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122131345/http://www.irishnews.com/magazine/entertainment/2017/06/26/news/royal-showdown-as-the-crown-battles-victoria-at-tv-choice-awards-1067822/. 22 November 2018. dead.
  40. News: Kilkelly. Daniel. Inside Soap Awards 2017 shortlist revealed – which Corrie, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks stars are up for prizes?. Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. 31 October 2017. 31 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122131259/http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/news/a841879/inside-soap-awards-2017-shortlist/. 22 November 2018. live.
  41. Web site: Regional Awards – North West 2017. Royal Television Society. 27 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122131004/https://rts.org.uk/award/regional-awards-north-west-2017. 22 November 2018. live. November 2017.
  42. Web site: Sandwell. Ian. Emmerdale almost achieves clean sweep at the Digital Spy Reader Awards 2017. Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. 29 December 2017. 2 May 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122130859/http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/feature/a845711/emmerdale-reader-awards-soap-winners-2017/. 22 November 2018. live.
  43. Web site: Dainty. Sophie. Emmerdale triumphs once again with big win at this year's TRIC Awards. Digital Spy. Hearst Communications. 13 March 2018. 14 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122130722/http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/news/a852189/emmerdale-wins-tric-awards-2018/. 22 November 2018. live.
  44. Web site: Full list of nominations for TV Choice Awards. The Irish News. 25 June 2018. 11 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122130504/https://www.irishnews.com/magazine/entertainment/2018/06/25/news/full-list-of-nominations-for-tv-choice-awards-1365807/. 22 November 2018. live.
  45. Web site: Kilkelly. Daniel. Coronation Street tops Inside Soap Awards 2018 shortlist with 18 nominations. Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. 16 October 2018. 23 October 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181122130621/http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/coronation-street/news/a868513/coronation-street-inside-soap-awards-shortlist-2018/. 22 November 2018. live.