Tim Metcalfe (played by Joe Duttine) is a fictional character from British ITV soap opera Coronation Street introduced on 21 January 2013 as Faye Windass' (Ellie Leach) biological father. Tim's storylines initially focus on his relationship with long-lost daughter, Faye Windass (Ellie Leach), Faye's adoptive mother Anna Windass (Debbie Rush) and partner Owen Armstrong (Ian Puleston-Davies). Tim's storylines later revolve around his rocky relationship with Sally Webster (Sally Dynevor); Sally and Tim's first engagement; the birth of Tim's granddaughter, Miley (Erin, Eilah, and Elsie Halliwell); Tim's worries over Faye's parenting difficulties; the appearance of Tim's first wife Charlie Wood (Siân Reeves) following a long-forgotten wedding in Las Vegas; the ensuing drama between Tim and Sally, prior to their eventual legal marriage in 2020; and Sally's discovery that Tim's dad Geoff (Ian Bartholomew) is a criminal and murderer, leading to Geoff's dramatic arrest and trial.
Development
Casting Series Producer Phil Collinson new character Tim Metcalfe would appear in August 2012, stating, "We know Faye's mother is dead, but there's a father out there somewhere, and he's going to come along and challenge things for Anna." On January 13th, 2013, it was announced that Joe Duttine had been cast in the role of Tim. Duttine had previously appeared in the soap opera between February and June 2010, as police officer D.S. Carr, who arrests Gail Platt (Helen Worth) for the murder of her husband Joe McIntyre (Reece Dinsdale).
Tom Eames from Digital Spy reported that Anna Windass (Debbie Rush) would be concerned to learn her adoptive daughter Faye makes contact with Tim online. A spokeswoman commented that Anna's feelings would be hurt to learn Faye contacted Tim, and would warn him to stay away.
Relationship with Sally Webster Tim began a relationship with the snobby Sally Webster portrayed by Sally Dynevor, in 2013. Describing Sally and Tim's new relationship, Dynevor explained: "He's a bit of a commitment phobe so I'm not sure [what will happen], but he's nice, and Sally really likes him. She's trying to change him—manipulate him into what she wants! But he's not having it and he wants to go off down the pub, and doesn't want to spend any romantic weekends with her or anything. He's a real bloke - he wants his tea on the table!"
In an interview on ITV chat show, Loose Women, Duttine explained that despite Tim's unreliable ways, Tim "does really love" Sally. Dynevor later commented, "I didn't want Sally to find someone at first, but I like this relationship, because she's not found 'Mr Perfect'... With Tim, you know there's no way they're going to live happily ever after, they're going to drive each other insane. I like the drama that has to offer." However, Dynevor was proven incorrect, as Tim and Sally's relationship became popular with viewers and went from strength to strength.
In late 2013, show producer Stuart Blackburn teased that Tim and Sally's relationship could be tested by Sally's ex-husband, Kevin Webster's (Michael Le Vell) return the following year: "Kevin loves Sally and seeing her with another man will break his heart. But he’s going to have to accept it." In January 2014, OK! reported Tim would become involved in a love triangle with Sally and Kevin, following Kevin's impending return to the show. As Kevin was set to return in September of that year, Producer Blackburn told Digital Spy the show would not be reuniting Kevin and Sally. "Kevin will always regret what he did in the past and there'll always be a 'What if?' when it comes to Sally. His love for Sally won't go away, but... Kevin has figured out now that Tim and Sally are for real. If there is going to be any type of affair, it's more likely to be Tim and Kevin heading off for a pint behind Sally's back!"
In May 2014, Tim decides his relationship with Sally should come to an end, and dumps her. Discussing Tim's reason behind his actions, Duttine commented: "She was getting a bit judgmental about Tim’s opinion of Maddie, and she wasn’t very sympathetic about Maddie’s situation with Ben. Plus, she was being a bit snobby about his window cleaning job. She lost her sense of humour, and I think when Tim tried to lighten the mood, it didn’t go down very well. He just thought she was being too much of a nightmare and bailed out. For Tim, it’s all about having an easy life and not wanting too much conflict or confrontation."
However, they inevitably reunite, and in an interview with Lynn Connolly of Unreality TV, Duttine describes the ironic situation that develops after: "He goes in there to buy Faye a watch, but then Sally jumps to the conclusion that he’s going to propose to her. He then goes to buy a ring with the intention of proposing to Sally because he feels it’s what she wants, not because he wants it. So I guess he does love her, and he’s putting her first and trying to please her." In another reversal, Duttine explains that after Tim proposes, the couple realise neither of them wants to get married after all, revealing that Tim subsequently "un-proposes" to Sally in the Rovers Return Inn. Duttine said he thought this was "sweet" and that Tim and Sally were a "good, fun couple".
In May 2015, Duttine and Dynevor discussed Tim and Sally's relationship with Phillip Schofield and Amanda Holden on ITV daytime programme, This Morning, with Dynevor explaining she initially thought Tim and Sally would not go well as a couple: "I was like, 'Tim Metcalfe and Sally Webster—how is that going to work?' but as soon as they put us together and we got the script and starting working together we found things hilariously funny." Duttine commented that Tim is "just pleased to be here and glad somebody will have him." and Dynevor agreed, saying that Sally "feels the same—she’s just glad she has a boyfriend!"
Live episode (2015) Coronation Street's plans for a live episode in September 2015 to mark the 60th anniversary of ITV were announced 19 November 2014. Producer Stuart Blackburn, said, "We’ve a reputation to uphold after the success of the tram crash, and I’m going to enjoy working with the storyliners and writers as we plot stories for our live episode in 2015. We’ll do all we can to eclipse what’s gone before."
In August 2015, a new storyline saw Sally and Kevin share a small kiss behind Tim's back, then choose not to tell him. Actor Michael Le Vell (Kevin) explained to Sophie Dainty of Digital Spy that Kevin is "in total shock and disbelief" and "genuinely shocked" when Sally kisses him. Despite Kevin and Sally's agreement not to tell Tim, Le Vell believed the kiss would be ultimately revealed: "I don't think it will stay a secret, no. I'm not sure who will tell who but I do know Sophie is quite suspicious - whether anyone else close to Sally or Kevin will be brought into the loop I don't know. But if Tim finds out, he's not going to be happy."
Annie Price of the Daily Express revealed storylines that would be featured in the live episode: the Platt family's feud with Callum Logan (Sean Ward) reaching its climax; the start of Roy Cropper's (David Neilson) relationship with Cathy Matthews (Melanie Hill); and in a comedic revelation, Tim's discovery of Kevin and Sally's kiss. Le Vell later revealed that in the live episode, the secret would be exposed by a drunken character in the pub: "I think someone spills the beans in a drunken stupor, in the live [episode]. I don't know what the consequences are going to be, but there's something very exciting."
On 9 September 2015, Coronation Street announced the one-hour live episode would air on 23 September, in a 19.30 timeslot. The cast gathered on 8 September, for their first read-through of the live episode. On 13 September, Le Vell and Brooke Vincent (Sally's daughter, Sophie) told STV the live episode's storyline involving Sally, Tim and Kevin would "inject a little bit of humour". Vincent said viewers will "have to keep watching" to see if a wedding will commence.
Le Vell commented, about the love triangle: "It’s all linked to Tim and Sally’s wedding... someone lets the cat out the bag – we don’t know who that is – about the kiss, on their wedding day." Duttine, to Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy, commented on Tim's discovery of kiss: "I don't really want to see Tim become aggressive or become a player either. I just think that he's a decent bloke who likes his creature comforts and a simple life." Duttine continued, "I think Tim will be heartbroken when he finds out the truth... As for whether Tim will punch Kevin, I don't think Tim's the fighting type."
Duttine and Dynevor later discussed their thoughts on the live broadcast with Katie Fitzpatrick of the Manchester Evening News. Duttine admitted going live is one of "the scariest thing you’ve ever done because you don’t want to be the first one to mess up Coronation Street after years and years." Dynevor worried she would break into uncontrollable laughter, "My fear, working with Joe, is corpsing for me. Once you start laughing you can’t stop."
The live episode aired 23 September, revealing that it is an inebriated Anna that lets on to Tim that Sally kissed Kevin. Despite Sally's best efforts to convince Tim that Anna was lying, Tim is unconvinced, and leaves the pub in shock. Tim packs his bags, staying with Anna and Faye, leaving Sally crying into the arms of Sophie. The live episode was met with positive reviews with many fans tweeting their views on it, and on Duttine's performance.
Family In May 2014, Dianne Bourne of the Manchester Evening News, reported the show would be casting a disabled actor in his 40s for the character of Howie, a "cheeky chappy". In September, it was reported that Howie would be Tim's cousin. Producer Stuart Blackburn teased Tim and Howie's relationship: "There [will] be a new character called Howie arriving. He is Tim's cousin and will be providing much more fun for the Websters. In the past, Tim's relationship with Howie has been incredibly fragile. They never see eye to eye, and Howie loves winding up Tim." Despite Blackburn's reporting the show was in final stages of auditioning, with Howie set to appear in early 2015, the character of Howie never appeared.
In March 2018, Ian Bartholomew joined the cast as Tim's father Geoff Metcalfe. Geoff's relationship to Tim was not revealed until transmission 30 March, though viewers of the show had already guessed the twist. In July 2020, following the introduction of Geoff's ex-wife Elaine Jones (Paula Wilcox), fans began guessing Elaine to be Tim's biological mother, despite Geoff telling Tim that his mother, a "Tessa Metcalfe", is dead. Producers later confirmed the fans' theory to be correct.
Storylines Tim arrives in Weatherfield, after his biological daughter Faye Windass (Ellie Leach) contacts him over the internet. Faye starts sneaking out to see Tim, against her adoptive mother, Anna Windass' (Debbie Rush) wishes. Tim also clashes with Anna's boyfriend Owen Armstrong (Ian Puleston-Davies). However, after Faye's insistence, they allow Faye to visit him. Faye becomes obsessed with her father, which escalates when Tim gets a job and moves into 15a Coronation Street. After Faye's constant pushing, Anna lets her move in with Tim, to Tim's delight.
However, Tim soon realises his has foregone his independence, to become a full-time father. Faye lies to Tim about staying with Anna while he's away at a job in Newcastle. Tim agrees Faye should move back in with Anna. Owen tells Tim to leave Faye alone, and Tim decides Faye would be better off without him. However, when Faye refuses to speak to him, Tim has a change of heart, deciding to stay in Weatherfield for good.