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Toyah Battersby is a fictional character from the British soap opera ''Coronation Street'', played by Georgia Taylor. Toyah and her family were introduced to the serial by executive producer Brian Park in a bid to increase falling ratings. Actress and singer Toyah Willcox gave the producers permission to name the youngest member of the Battersby family after herself, since the character was said to be born during the height of her career. Taylor originally auditioned for the part of Zoe Tattersall, but was cast as Toyah instead. The role marked her acting debut. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 4 July 1997. Toyah was portrayed as cocky, naive, too trusting and occasionally needing to be "a bit more clued up"〔 about things. Taylor called Toyah a decent person and someone who was loyal to her friends and family. Taylor initially disliked Toyah's image, particularly her make-up and clothes, which were too revealing. Toyah's first major storyline saw her abducted by a stranger. At the time, Taylor said it was one of the hardest storylines she had to film and the Independent Television Commission believed it should have carried a warning before it was broadcast. A few months later, Toyah became the show's first female character to be involved in a storyline surrounding the subject of under-age sex. The storyline was criticised by Watchdogs, but Taylor defended it, calling it educational. Toyah began a relationship with Spider Nugent (Martin Hancock) in 1999, which lasted until Hancock's departure in July 2000. The following year, the character was the focus of one of ''Coronation Street''s' most controversial storylines, which saw her beaten and raped by Phil Simmonds (Jack Deam). The storyline marked the first time in forty years that the show had included a rape. The storyline was criticised by some former ''Coronation Street'' cast members, who thought the producers were using the subject of rape to boost ratings. Taylor decided to leave the show in July 2002 and her character departed on-screen the following year. Toyah was well received by critics and Taylor received the Best Young Actor accolade at the ''Inside Soap'' Awards and Best Dramatic Performance at ''The British Soap Awards''. ==Storylines== Toyah and her family move into 5 Coronation Street and soon upset the neighbours with their bad behaviour, most notably Curly Watts (Kevin Kennedy). Toyah and her stepsister Leanne (Jane Danson) steal from the local newsagent and indulge in some under-age drinking. Toyah develops a crush on Spider Nugent (Martin Hancock) and turns vegetarian to impress him. She also asks him to help save a turkey from being slaughtered for Christmas. After arguing with her mother, Janice (Vicky Entwistle), and step-father, Les (Bruce Jones), Toyah runs away to London to find her biological father, Ronnie. However, Toyah comes across Neil Flynn (Tim Dantay), who initially pretends to be her father and abducts her. Neil takes Toyah to some woods, but while he is distracted, Toyah manages to escape and she is soon found by Janice and Les. Toyah gets a job at Roy's Rolls, the local café, and begins dating Philip "Dobber" Dobson (John Donnelly). Dobber is a bad influence on Toyah, persuading her to steal from the café and threatening to break up with her if she did not have sex with him. Toyah loses her virginity to Dobber, but she eventually sees through him and they break up. With the help of former teacher Ken Barlow (William Roache), Toyah begins to improve her grades and even wins a writing competition. While spending the night watching a lunar eclipse together, Toyah and Spider have sex. They soon begin a relationship and live together at Emily Bishop's (Eileen Derbyshire) house until she asks them to leave. Toyah and Spider then find themselves a bedsit. Toyah gets a second job as a barmaid at The Rovers Return. She and Spider start to drift apart and when Spider asks her to go to India with him, she turns him down. Spider then leaves Weatherfield alone. Toyah later has a one-night stand with Andy McDonald (Nicholas Cochrane). After a night out with Sam Kingston (Scott Wright), Toyah decides to walk the short distance home alone. She is soon set upon by an unseen assailant, who beats and rapes her. Toyah is found by Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas), who takes her home. Janice initially believes Toyah has been robbed and is shocked when Toyah tells her she was raped. Toyah recounts her story to the police after undergoing an examination at the hospital. Several male residents come under suspicion, particularly Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne), but they are ruled out by DNA tests. Toyah struggles to deal with what has happened to her and she develops agoraphobia. While being comforted at home by her friend Phil Simmonds (Jack Deam), Toyah recognises his voice as he calls out her name and realises that he is her rapist. Phil becomes aware that she knows and prevents her from escaping. Toyah's screams are heard by Peter, who breaks the door down and knocks Phil unconscious. Phil is found guilty of rape and sent to prison. Toyah has a brief romance with Sam. She also moves into a flat with Fiz Brown (Jennie McAlpine) and Maria Sutherland (Samia Ghadie). While on holiday in Blackpool, Toyah meets Goran Milanovic (Matt Zarb), an illegal immigrant. After a few dates, Goran proposes to Toyah, but she turns him down. Toyah starts dating her college tutor John Arnley (Paul Warriner). She is initially reluctant to introduce him to her flatmates and when she does, they are surprised to see that he is a lot older than Toyah. John asks Toyah to move in with him and she agrees. When Toyah argues with Fiz about not liking John, Fiz reveals that he and Maria had sex, resulting in Maria becoming pregnant. Toyah confronts Maria, who gives her the impression that John forced himself on her. Remembering her rape, Toyah attacks John in front of his class. When he calms her down, Toyah breaks up with him. Toyah decides to leave Weatherfield. She reunites with Spider and they move to London. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Toyah Battersby」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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