Faye Windass (also Butler) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, portrayed by Ellie Leach. She was introduced as a potential adoptive child for Anna (Debbie Rush) and Eddie Windass (Steve Huison) in the episode aired on 24 January 2011. Faye's early storylines have included being adopted by Anna and Eddie, being the victim and perpetrator of bullying, contacting her birth father Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine) and accusing Anna of abusing her. Her later storylines include her falling pregnant at the age of 13 and keeping it secret from her family. Faye's struggling to bond with her daughter, Miley (Erin, Eilah and Elsie Halliwell) results in her giving her up to Jackson Hodge (Rhys Cadman), Miley's dad. Other storylines involve her relationships with Seb Franklin (Harry Visinoni) and Craig Tinker (Colson Smith), being imprisoned after attacking Adam Barlow (Sam Robertson) after a case of mistaken identity, being sexually assaulted and being diagnosed with premature menopause. In April 2023, it was announced that Leach had been written out after 12 years, with her final scenes airing on 24 May 2023.
Casting The character of Faye is created as a potential adoptive child for Anna and Eddie Windass. The casting of Ellie Leach was announced in January 2011. Of her casting, her cousin, co-star Brooke Vincent, said "I am chuffed to bits for her. She has made me so happy. We are all thrilled about it and I can't wait to be with her on set to show her around." A show source added "Brooke was behind her all the way and was praying she would get the part - and after Ellie won the bosses over she couldn't contain herself. She was so pleased and happy for her. Ellie-Louise is made of the same stuff as Brooke, which means she'll fit in and get on well with everyone."
Development Early development Faye is introduced in January 2011 as the potential adoptive child of Anna (Debbie Rush) and Eddie Windass (Steve Huison). In November 2011, a storyline involving Faye and Anna's partner, Owen Armstrong (Ian Puleston-Davies), was announced, where Owen would hit Faye in Anna's absence. The scenes aired in January 2012, watched by 9.5 million viewers and the plot sparked outrage from viewers, with some complaining to ITV and OFCOM. However, the NSPCC said they were glad the show sparked the debate. A spokesman for the show said they "did not condone Owen’s actions and that it would have ramifications for his relationship."
In an interview with Daniel Kilkelly, on 9 August 2012, producer Phil Collinson revealed that there are plans to introduce Faye's father, who is "going to come along and challenge things for Anna." A source from the show said that "Anna is very hurt that Faye has been secretly contacting her biological dad, she wants a fresh start for Faye that doesn't include Tim, and puts her foot down." Spoiler pictures that were released on 13 January 2013, revealed that Joe Duttine had been cast in the role of Tim Metcalfe, Faye's dad. Tim arrived on 21 January 2013, following weeks of contact with Faye. In March 2013, it was revealed that Faye would tell headteacher Brian Packham that Anna hits her in a bid to live with Tim.
Ella-Grace Gregoire is introduced as Faye's friend Grace Piper in September 2013 and the two of them are involved in the cyberbullying of Simon Barlow (Alex Bain), where they force Simon in a dress, film it and share the video. Rush says Anna is "absolutely devastated [...] but Anna doesn’t believe it, just like she didn’t believe Faye was throwing stones at Mary’s motor home. But having seen the evidence Anna panics." The situation leaves Anna wondering "what else might she [Faye] be capable of" and Anna feels guilty. The storyline culminates in Faye and Grace's actions being reported to the police and Faye is "terrified" and Faye went along with Grace as she "doesn’t want to be ostracised and doesn’t want to drop her mate in it. She’s also terrified of what Grace might do. It’s only when Anna tells her how serious things are that Faye realises she must tell the truth.”
Teenage pregnancy and motherhood On 19 June 2014, it was announced that Faye would fall pregnant at the age of 12, with a show source saying it "is bound to be a controversial storyline but the programme has a history of handling difficult subject matters in a sensitive and considerate way" and that "bosses are still working out the exact details of the controversial storyline, including who the father is." Previously done with Sarah-Louise Platt (Tina O'Brien), producer Stuart Blackburn, said that whilst "in some respects life went back to normal" for Sarah, "that won't happen" with Faye. Rush discussed scenes where Faye goes into labour, saying "none of the family know about it, there's only Craig in on it. As the week unfolds we'll see how he becomes a really good friend" and that "everything explodes" She said that Faye "panics at the end" and needs her family" She added that "It's not going to be roses around the door. We're showing just how serious it is" and they hope "that's going to come across. It's not a good thing, and it's really tough on all the family and everyone concerned." Rush described Faye as "an annoying teenager", but a child who "came from a really unhappy, broken background - passed from pillar to post."
Following the birth, Faye struggles to bond with her baby, Miley Windass (Erin, Eilah and Elsie Halliwell), who she names after pop singer Miley Cyrus. Rush explained "Faye doesn’t choose the name for a while [...] because she’s completely in denial." and Faye "calls her Miley, like Wrecking Ball" as Miley "is a wrecking ball!" Jackson Hodge (Rhys Cadman) initially denies being Miley's father, but Jackson and his parents later want to be involved with Miley, however, Anna "realises just how much motherhood is taking its toll" on Faye and she is "forced to consider the possibility" of Miley living with the Hodge's." Rush explains "she wants Faye to take responsibility as she thinks that is the best way to get her to bond with the baby" despite Anna knowing "how much Faye has been struggling with the fact that she's now a mum but she's done her best to try and encourage Faye to do the right thing." She added that Anna has "adopted the tough love approach with Faye." Rush says the family are "heartbroken" when it's decided Miley should live with Jackson and his parents, though it's the "right thing for Miley." Faye's pregnancy and Miley's birth acts as a catalyst for the departure of Owen. Owen wrongly assumes Craig is the father and he assaults Craig and Owen's "attitude in the wake of Faye giving birth is the final straw for Anna." Faye is left stunned when she reunites with Miley and Jackson in 2017. The meeting with Miley will "spur" Faye into wondering whether she should get "more involved in Miley’s life."
Duncan Lindsay, from Metro, said that the storyline is showing "a whole new vulnerable side to the character" and "pairing her up with the legendary Craig has been a masterstroke and the care he is showing his friend has been beautifully endearing to watch". Rush said she is "so proud" of Leach, saying "she's been absolutely brilliant."
Relationship with Seb Franklin Harry Visioni joined the serial in October 2016 as Faye's new boyfriend, Seb Franklin (Harry Visinoni). Anna is "instantly worried" about Faye having a boyfriend due to being a teenage mother, but receives criticism from her new partner, Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell), over the handling of the situation. Seb soon wins Anna's approval during a family meal, but when Faye is given an expensive gift, it raises the question of whether "everything [is] as it seems." Seb's "dark side" emerges when Craig "intervenes" out of concern for Faye, but she is "left furious" when Seb alleges Craig threatened him, leading to Seb possibly driving "a wedge" between Faye and Craig.
Departure In April 2023, it was confirmed that Leach would be leaving Coronation Street after 12 years in the role of Faye, with her departure scenes set to air in a "huge story" in summer 2023. Her final scenes were broadcast on 24 May 2023.
Storylines
Faye is introduced to Eddie (Steve Huison) and Anna Windass (Debbie Rush) by her social worker, Hilary Pugsley (Caroline Pegg). After several visits, Faye begins to like the Windasses but the adoption is threatened by the revelation that their son, Gary (Mikey North), has been discharged from the army and will be living with them. Despite this, Faye stays the night at the Windasses' for the first time in February. When Faye visits in March, she is annoyed to discover that Eddie and Anna have been searching her bag and she storms out in a mood. Gary, however, speaks to Faye and convinces her that they can be trusted. When Faye stays overnight, Eddie accidentally washes Faye's blanket, she is furious and tells him that it is the only thing that she has to remember her mother by before insisting on returning to her foster home. Faye later moves in with the Windass family permanently. When Faye and Anna visit neighbour, Fiz Stape (Jenny McAlpine) and her baby Hope, Faye steals a bag containing £500 that Fiz is keeping secret from husband, John (Graeme Hawley). Faye gives Anna the bag as a gift but Anna finds the money and insists Faye tell her where she got it from. Faye admits that she stole it and a box of chocolates from The Kabin and earrings from her foster home that she also gave Anna, making Anna and Eddie worry about Faye's behaviour. Soon after, Anna and Eddie learn from Hilary that Faye's mother has died from a heroin overdose and she urges them to tell Faye. Anna wants to tell her after a picnic that she and Faye had planned but Eddie accidentally tells her. When Eddie leaves for Germany, Faye thinks it is her fault that he left but Anna reassures her that she is not to blame. When Katy Armstrong (Georgia May Foote) falls pregnant, Faye tells her father, Owen (Ian Puleston-Davies), making Katy think Anna told him so Anna asks Faye if she was responsible but she denies it. In November 2011, Faye's adoption becomes official but her happiness is short-lived when she discovers that Owen is dating Anna. Faye is scared that Owen will not want her around but Gary, Owen and Anna promise her that nothing will change.
Faye is bullied by Lindsay Hayward (Eleni Foskett) for being adopted. Anna notices that Faye is more withdrawn and on checking her computer, finds evidence of bullying and promptly takes it to the school. Headmaster Brian Packham (Peter Gunn) takes it seriously, but worries when he discovers the bully's identity as Lindsay's grandmother is head of the board of governors. He then tries to dismiss it as childish pranks, leading Anna to remove Faye from school. Knowing what would be expected if the bully was any other child, Brian reports it and Lindsay is suspended. Brian asks Faye to give the school another chance on the promise that Lindsay will be closely watched, which she does.