Emmerdale is a British soap opera first broadcast on 16 October 1972. The following is a list of characters that first appeared or will appear in 2012, by order of first appearance. All characters have been introduced by the show's series producer, Stuart Blackburn. Ed Roberts made his debut appearance in February, followed by Declan Macey's half-sister, Megan shortly after. Robbie began appearing from May, while Kerry Wyatt will arrive in July.

Ed Roberts[link]

Ed Roberts, played by Lloyd Everitt, made his debut appearance on 8 February 2012.^[1] Ed arrives in Emmerdale with a broken down minibus and takes it to Aaron Livesy (Danny Miller) to fix.^[2] A writer for Inside Soap said there is a spark of attraction between Ed and Aaron, but Aaron dismisses it because he is unsure whether Ed is interested in guys.^[2] Aaron wants to move on from Jackson Walsh (Marc Silcock) and an Emmerdale spokesperson told the magazine "With the arrival of Ed, the darkness that has been haunting Aaron begins to disappear."^[2] However, Ed and Aaron's potential romance does not get off to a good start when Ed drives off without paying for the repairs to the minibus. Aaron thinks Ed has gone for good, but he later returns to settle the bill.^[2] Ed has been described as being "handsome" and "hunky."^[2] Anthony D. Langford of AfterElton said Aaron and Ed's scenes often revolved around Aaron's past with Jackson, which he explained was too heavy and not romantic for their fledgling relationship.^[3] Langford added "This of course raises the question of why a smart and funny guy like Ed would want to deal with the emotional mess that is Aaron Livesy."^[3]

Ed brings a minibus to the garage for Aaron Livesy to fix. However, when Aaron becomes involved in an argument with Adam Barton (Adam Thomas), Ed leaves. He later returns with his rugby team mates and Aaron fixes the minibus, but Ed drives off without paying all of the bill. Ed comes back to the village to give Aaron the rest of the money for the work on the minibus and he invites him to a party. Ed brings his car to the garage for Aaron to look at and he later gives him his number. Aaron arranges to go for a drink with Ed, but he cancels to help Adam fix a roof. Ed finds out what Aaron is doing and he and two of his teammates comes to help. Holly Barton (Sophie Powles) flirts with Ed and he reveals he is gay. Ed mistakes Aaron and Adam's friendship for something more, but Aaron corrects him and they kiss. Aaron and Ed go on their first date to Bar West, but Ed leaves early when the barman tells him that Aaron helped his previous boyfriend, Jackson to die. Aaron becomes angry with Ed, but he later calls him and they meet up. Aaron and Ed talk and Aaron reveals his scars from self harming. Ed is not fazed and they spend the night together. Ed later tells Aaron that he has been signed for a French rugby club and is leaving for France in four weeks. He asks Aaron to come with him and he agrees.

Megan Macey[link]

Megan Macey, played by Gaynor Faye, made her first on screen appearance on 21 February 2012.^[5][6] The character and casting was announced on 12 October 2011.^[5] Faye said she was "incredibly excited" to be joining Emmerdale and series producer Stuart Blackburn added he was thrilled to welcome the actress to the show.^[5] Faye later revealed she has a twelve month contract with Emmerdale.^[7]

Megan is Declan Macey's (Jason Merrells) "glamorous" half-sister, she arrives at Home Farm to stay with Declan after he contacts her about getting involved with a big project.^[5] Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy said Megan will quickly make an impact on the village.^[5] She is described as "fiercely ambitious, intimidating and oozing self-confidence", she stands up for herself and will shake things up between Declan and his girlfriend, Katie Sugden (Sammy Winward).^[5] Of her character, Faye said "The women on Emmerdale are strong and feisty and I can't wait to play my character, who's fun but extremely driven and will stop at nothing to get her own way! She's quite different to many of the roles that I have played before and hopefully will take people by surprise."^[5] Nicola Methven of the Daily Mirror said Megan will "turn the heads of the village men."^[8] Speaking to a writer for the Daily Mirror, Faye said she could not wait to start playing Megan, who she branded "a baddie".^[9] The actress said viewers are used to seeing her play nice characters and her new role is a departure from that, as Megan will cause mayhem and stir up the men and women of the village.^[9] A writer for Soaplife magazine said that since Kim Tate (Claire King) left Emmerdale there had not been a "Lady of the Home Farm Manor to fill her designer boots." They said that Megan's arrival could change that, and added that if Megan is half the woman Kim was, she will do more than "just surprise."^[10]

In April 2012, it was revealed Declan would track down Megan's son, Robbie (Jamie Shelton), who she gave up for adoption when she was a teenager.^[11] Faye said Megan would be furious if she knew what Declan was up to. She explained "Megan is always telling Declan to keep his nose out of her life. They may be good at business together, but they're not good at each other's personal lives. And him interfering in this is going too far."^[11] Of Megan's past, Faye revealed that she was in her late teens when she had Robbie and because no one was there for her, it was decided she should put him up for adoption.^[11] Faye added "She hasn't seen Robbie since she gave him up. She ignored a letter he wrote to her years back, but finding him is still something that's always at the back of her mind."^[11]

Robbie Lawson[link]

Robbie Lawson,^[12] played by Jamie Shelton, will make his first screen appearance on 16 May 2012.^[13] The character and Shelton's casting were announced on 4 April 2012.^[14] The actor told a reporter from the official Emmerdale website, that he was excited to join the cast because Robbie is a "a great character to play". Robbie will be involved with characters within the setting of Home Farm. He will share a specific connection to the character of Megan Macey (Gaynor Faye), with his arrival confronting her "with a past she had hoped to forget". Robbie will also "test the loyalties of everyone around him".^[14] The serial's producer Stuart Blackburn spoke of his delight over Shelton's casting, adding that his character would "certainly stir things up at Home Farm". Robbie is described as "tough nut" and is used to putting up a front, a personality trait that Blackburn said would take a while to get past.^[14] Of Robbie, Kate White of Inside Soap said "We must admit to being intrigued by Emmerdale new boy Robbie. He's mysterious, he's got an edge, and he's even made Megan's scenes bearable. Long may it continue!"^[15]

Kerry Wyatt[link]

Kerry Wyatt, played by Laura Norton, will make her first screen appearance in July 2012.^[16] The character and casting was announced on 31 May 2012.^[16] Norton will begin filming her first scenes in June.^[16] Of joining Emmerdale, the actress said "I am delighted to have been given this role. Emmerdale has always been my favourite soap and it's a joy and privilege to be joining the team."^[16] Series producer Stuart Blackburn commented that Norton is "a fantastic actor" and that it was a delight to welcome her to the cast.^[16]

Kerry is the mother of established character, Amy Wyatt (Chelsea Halfpenny).^[16] Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy reported Kerry was heartbroken when Amy was taken into foster care. He stated that Kerry is "wayward" and guaranteed to liven things up for her daughter and her foster parents Val (Charlie Hardwick) and Eric Pollard (Chris Chittell).^[16] Norton described Kerry as being "an amazing and unpredictable, appealing character".^[16] She added that she could not wait to play Amy's "reckless mum."^[16] Amy meets her mother while she is out celebrating her birthday. She flirts with a man, who turns out to be Kerry's boyfriend. Kerry then follows her daughter back to the village, hoping to be a part of her life.^[16]

Others[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Megan Macey at itv.com
• Robbie Lawson at itv.com

Look up Megan in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Megan (/ˈmɛɡən/; also spelled Meghan, Meaghan, etc.) is a Welsh female name, originally a pet form of Meg or Meggie, which is itself a short form of Margaret. Nowadays it is generally used as an independent name rather than as a nickname.^[1] Notable Megans include:

• Meagan Good (born 1981), American actress
• Meaghan Jette Martin (born 1992), American actress
• Megan Follows (born 1968), Canadian actress
• Megan Fox (born 1986), American actress
• Megan Hauserman (born 1981), American model and reality TV star
• Megan Jendrick (born 1984), American swimmer
• Megyn Kelly (born 1970), American news anchor and journalist
• Megan McDonald (born 1959), American writer
• Megan Mullally (born 1958), American actress
• Megan Rapinoe (born 1985), American association football player
• Megan Young (born 1990), Filipina-American actress
• Meghann Shaughnessy (born 1979), American tennis player
• Megyn Price (born 1971), American actress

Name used in fiction[link]

• Megan is a character in the My Little Pony cartoons from the 1980s

References[link]

Lana Del Rey
Del Rey at a promotional event in Seattle
Background information
Birth name	Elizabeth Woolridge Grant
Also known as	Lizzy Grant Lana Rey Del Mar May Jailer
Born	(1986-06-21) June 21, 1986 (age 26)[1] New York City, New York, United States
Origin	Lake Placid, New York, United States
Genres	Indie pop,[2] adult alternative,[2] chamber pop,[3] sadcore[4]
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, fashion model
Instruments	Vocals, guitar[5]
Years active	2007–present
Labels	Interscope, Polydor, Stranger
Website	lanadelrey.com

Elizabeth Woolridge Grant^[6] (born June 21, 1986), better known by her stage name Lana Del Rey, is an American singer-songwriter. Raised in upstate New York, Del Rey moved to New York City at age eighteen, where she attended college and began writing music and performing in clubs.

In 2008, Del Rey contracted with an independent label and recorded a self-titled debut album which was briefly available on iTunes in 2010; Del Rey ultimately bought back the rights to the album and it was withdrawn soon after.

In June 2011, she released the song "Video Games" on the Internet, accompanied by a self-made music video that went viral in the following months. The song was later released as a single in October, leading up to Del Rey's major-label debut album, Born to Die, which was released on January 31, 2012 through Interscope Records. Born to Die debuted at number one in seven countries, including the United Kingdom^[7] and Australia. The album has spawned two worldwide top 10 hits: "Video Games" and "Born to Die".

Del Rey's music has been noted for its cinematic sound and its references to various aspects of pop culture, particularly that of 1950s and '60s Americana.^[8] Del Rey has been described as a "self-styled gangsta Nancy Sinatra",^[9] and cites Britney Spears,^[10][11][12] Eminem,^[13][10] and Antony and the Johnsons amongst her musical influences.^[10]

Biography[link]

Early years[link]

Del Rey was born Elizabeth Grant in New York City and grew up in Lake Placid, New York.^[14][15] When she was 14, she attended Kent School, a boarding school in Connecticut.^[16][17] She has Scottish ancestry, and is the daughter of domain investor Rob Grant, who supported her in her early career as a singer.^{[18][19][20][21]} Del Rey attended Fordham University in New York City, studying philosophy.^[22]

At age 18, her uncle taught her how to play guitar, beginning with basic chords: "It was G, C, A, D minor, A minor and some diminished chord as well. Some trick, some shortcut," Del Rey recalled. "I realized I could probably write a million songs with those six chords, so I moved to New York and I took a couple of years to just write whatever I wanted."^[5] She began performing in clubs while living in the city.

Her stage name was discussed in a Vogue interview, in which she said, "I wanted a name I could shape the music towards [...] I was going to Miami quite a lot at the time, speaking a lot of Spanish with my friends from Cuba – Lana Del Rey reminded us of the glamour of the seaside. It sounded gorgeous coming off the tip of the tongue."^[23] The name is reportedly an amalgam of the actress Lana Turner, and the 1980's automobile Ford Del Rey. ^[24]

"I wanted to be part of a high-class scene of musicians. It was half-inspired because I didn't have many friends, and I was hoping that I would meet people and fall in love and start a community around me, the way they used to do in the '60s."^[25]

Del Rey first released a three-track EP titled Kill Kill in October 2008 under the name Lizzy Grant, featuring the tracks "Kill Kill", "Yayo" and "Gramma (Blue Ribbon Sparkler Trailer Heaven)".^[26]

[edit] 2010: Lana Del Ray A.K.A. Lizzy Grant

Del Rey later released her first full-length studio album titled Lana Del Ray A.K.A. Lizzy Grant [sic] in January 2010.^[27] It was the singer's first professionally produced album, released under Lizzy Grant on an independent label with producer David Kahne.^[28] Del Rey stated that "David asked to work with me only a day after he got my demo. He is known as a producer with a lot of integrity and who had an interest in making music that wasn't just pop."^[29] Her father, Robert Grant, helped with the marketing of the album,^[30] which was available for purchase on iTunes for a brief period before being withdrawn. According to David Kahne, who produced Grant, Grant bought the rights back from her label, 5 Points, as she wanted it out of circulation to "…stifle future opportunities to distribute it – an echo of rumors that the action was part of a calculated strategy."^[31]

[edit] 2011–present: Born to Die

Lana Del Rey performing at Paradiso, Amsterdam.

Later in June 2011, Del Rey was signed with Stranger Records,^[32] to release her debut single "Video Games";^[32] in October 2011, she signed a joint deal with Interscope Records and Polydor.^{[5][33][34][35]} In October 2011, she won the Q award for "Next Big Thing". Del Rey's song "Video Games" was featured for the first time on The CW's TV-Series Ringer on September 27, 2011.^[36] Del Rey also promoted the album in a number of live appearances, including a show at the Bowery Ballroom, where, according to Eliot Glazer of New York, "the polarizing indie hipstress brought her 'gangsta Nancy Sinatra' swagu."^[37] Rolling Stone commented that, despite Del Rey being nervous and anxious while performing her songs live, she "sang with considerable confidence", although they noted that "her transitions ...could be rather jarring."^[38] Del Rey also performed "Video Games" on Dutch television program De Wereld Draait Door,^[39] on British music television show Later... with Jools Holland,^[40] and on an intimate show at Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, California.^[41]

Born to Die was released on January 27, 2012 in Ireland,^[42] January 30, 2012, in the UK, and on January 31, 2012 worldwide.^[43]

Del Rey performed two songs on Saturday Night Live on January 14, 2012 to a warm reception from the audience, but mixed reviews from critics and the general public. NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams called Del Rey's performance "one of the worst outings in SNL history". Del Rey's performance was defended by the evening's program guest host, actor Daniel Radcliffe, despite not having seen her performance.^[44] He said in part: "It was unfortunate that people seemed to turn on her so quickly [...] I don't think [the performance] warranted anywhere near that reaction." Del Rey had earlier defended her spot on the program, saying: "I'm a good musician [...] I have been singing for a long time, and I think that [SNL creator] Lorne Michaels knows that [...] it's not a fluke decision."^[45] On February 4, 2012, Kristen Wiig appeared on the Weekend Update segment on Saturday Night Live parodying Del Rey and poking fun at the backlash.

The second single and title track "Born to Die" was released on December 3, 2011.^[46] The music video for it leaked on December 14, 2011,^[47] and was based on a concept created by the singer, while being directed by Yoann Lemoine.^[48]

In January 2012, Del Rey revealed that she recently bought back the rights to her 2010 album Lana Del Ray A.K.A. Lizzy Grant and will re-release it in the summer of 2012 under Interscope Records and Polydor.^[49] Contrary to Grant's press statement, her previous label (5 Point Records), and producer David Kahne have both stated that she bought the rights to the album when she and the label parted company, due to the offer of a new deal, in April 2010.^[50][51] On January 4, 2012, it was reported she had signed a deal with NEXT Model Management agency.^[52] In May 2012, Del Rey confirmed the song "National Anthem" as the fourth single from her album Born to Die. ^{[53] [54]} On May 30th, 2012, Del Rey's supposed debut album "Sirens" was leaked online under the name "May Jailer". The 15 track album includes the previously leaked song "A Star for Nick."

Artistry[link]

Music

She has been described as a "self-styled gangsta Nancy Sinatra",^[9] Del Rey is known to write and produce most of her own material and covers genres from Hip-Hop and Indie. Having first been discovered from posting viral videos of herself singing on the internet she quickly grew a significant fan base. She has been noted for using her allure to the celebrity lifestyle as an inspiration in itself, whilst at the same time maintaining an aura of mystique, this has reflected in the melodies and vocals she produces. Her sound as well as her videography has been described as eccentric, over the top and at times wild. However Noah Levy, senior news editor at In Touch Weekly magazine noted that her dedication and talent is undeniable, quoted as saying "I think she cares about the art that she is creating. I don't think that is fake at all."^[55]

Voice

Del Rey possesses a wide^[56] contralto vocal range,^{[57][58][59][60]} which has been described as unique, captivating and highly emotive,^[60] being able to transcend from sounding high and girlish in her timbre, down to a low and jazzy sound with great ease, although both these areas of the voice can be conflicting in their sound and polarise opinion.^[57]

When recording in the studio Del Rey is known for vocal multi layering, double tracking and overlays which has it has been noted is difficult for her to replicate within a live setting, especially with the lack of backing singers to fill out the original vocal style.^[59].

Influences

Del Rey cites Britney Spears,^[11][12] Elvis Presley, Antony and the Johnsons, Frank Sinatra ^[13] and Eminem amongst her musical influences. "[I really] just like the masters of every genre", she told BBC journalist Jo Whiley.^[61]

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• Lana Del Ray A.K.A. Lizzy Grant (2010)
• Born To Die (2012)

Awards and nominations[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Lana Del Rey

• Official website
• Lana Del Rey at the Internet Movie Database
• Lana Del Rey talks influences with BEAT

Gaynor Faye
Faye and Matt Evers on the Dancing on Ice tour in 2010
Born	Gaynor Kay Mellor (1971-08-26) 26 August 1971 (age 40) Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
Occupation	Actor

Gaynor Faye (born Gaynor Kay Mellor 26 August 1971 in Leeds, West Yorkshire) is an English actress. She is famous for playing the role of Judy Mallett in the British soap opera Coronation Street from 1995 until 1999. She also played the roles of Holly Quinn in Playing the Field; Lauren Harris in Fat Friends; Georgia Lovett in Between the Sheets and Julie in Stan the Man. She has also written two episodes of Fat Friends and she is the daughter of television producer and actress Kay Mellor.

in 2006 Gaynor appeared in the ITV1 reality TV show competition Dancing on Ice. Her skating partner was UK Gold Medalist Daniel Whiston. On 4 March 2006 she was crowned Dancing on Ice champion, beating Stefan Booth and Bonnie Langford in the final.

Since July 2006, Gaynor has starred as Anna Williams Bedford in The Chase, a television series co-written with her mother for BBC1.

She has also brought out a video based on the exercise routine she followed during the show Dancing on Ice. She has two children called Oliver (b. 2001) and Lily (b. 2004).

Faye appeared in the stage adaptation of Calendar Girls alongside Lynda Bellingham at London's Noël Coward Theatre in 2009.^[1] This was written by Juliette Towhidi and Tim Firth.

In September 2010 she was a guest panellist on ITVs flagship show Loose Women.

In October 2011 it was announced that she would join the Emmerdale TV programme, playing Declan Macey's ambitious half-sister Megan Macey. She said "I'm incredibly excited to be joining Emmerdale and being a Yorkshire lass myself, filming in Leeds, my hometown, is the icing on the cake!".^[2] Megan first appeared on-screen on 21 February 2012.

On 11 November and 16 December 2011 she guest presented Lorraine on ITV Breakfast.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Gaynor Faye at the Internet Movie Database
• Coronation St fansite - Profile

This article about an English television actor or actress is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

This article about a British television actor born in the 1970s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Leona Lewis
Lewis at the 2009 American Music Awards
Background information
Birth name	Leona Louise Lewis
Born	(1985-04-03) 3 April 1985 (age 27) Islington, London, England, UK
Genres	Pop, R&B
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, recording artist
Years active	2006–present
Labels	Syco, J, RCA
Website	leonalewismusic.co.uk

Leona Louise Lewis (born 3 April 1985) is a British singer and songwriter.^[1] Lewis came to prominence in 2006 when she won the third series of the British television series The X Factor.

Lewis has released two albums to date, Spirit and Echo, in 2007 and 2009 respectively. A multi-platinum selling artist and three-time Grammy Award nominee, her most successful single, "Bleeding Love", reached number one in over thirty countries around the world, and was the best-selling single worldwide in 2008.^[2] Other notable singles include "Better in Time", "Happy" and "I Got You". She was proclaimed 'Top New Artist' by Billboard magazine in 2008.

Lewis's debut tour, The Labyrinth, took place in 2010, and her third album, Glassheart, is scheduled for release in 2012. It was preceded by "Collide", a single from the album, which became her seventh top-five hit in the United Kingdom. Lewis's net worth was estimated at £12 million in April 2012.^[3]

Early life[link]

Lewis was born in the London Borough of Islington, to Aural Josiah "Joe" Lewis of Afro-Guyanese descent, and Maria Lewis of Welsh, Irish, and Italian descent.^[1][4][5] Her parents enrolled her at the Sylvia Young Theatre School. From there she attended the Italia Conti Academy and the BRIT School, where she learned to play instruments, such as the guitar and piano, in the hope of becoming a singer-songwriter.^[6][7] Lewis wrote her first full-length song at the age of 12.^[8] She initially trained in opera, but went on to singing jazz and blues, eventually leading to popular music, citing Minnie Riperton, Eva Cassidy and Stevie Wonder as her main influences.^[5] After leaving the BRIT School at 17, following a year abroad in Boston, Massachusetts in a transfer program,^[5] she took a number of jobs to fund studio time,^[9] recording a demo album called Twilight.^[10] The album, almost exclusively comprising her own compositions, was recorded under Spiral Music, a production company based in Fulham. "I tried to secure a record deal by doing things my own way. I worked very hard but I never managed to land a contract", said Lewis.^[11] Other demos were recorded under licence from UEG Entertainment, later included on an album called Best Kept Secret.^[12] None of Lewis's demos brought her significant attention, however, and she considered taking a hiatus from her music career to attend university. Then her boyfriend persuaded her to enter The X Factor which subsequently severed her connections with UEG.^[13]

Music career[link]

[edit] 2006: The X Factor

Lewis at the London premiere for Flushed Away, November 2006

Lewis auditioned for the third series of The X Factor in 2006, singing "Over the Rainbow". She was mentored by Simon Cowell and was announced the winner on 16 December 2006, winning a £1 million recording contract.^[14]

Her debut single, a cover of Kelly Clarkson's "A Moment Like This", was released on CD on 20 December 2006, and was available as a digital download from midnight on 17 December. It broke a world record after it was downloaded 50,000 times in thirty minutes.^[15] On 24 December, "A Moment Like This" was crowned the 2006 UK Christmas number-one single, having sold 571,253 copies, outselling the rest of the Top 40's sales combined.^[16] The single became the most downloaded song in 2006; it stayed at No. 1 for four weeks and stayed at the top spot in the Irish Singles Chart for six weeks.^[17]