Concepta Riley (also Hewitt and Regan)[1] is a fictional character from the British television soap opera Coronation Street, played by Doreen Keogh.

Concepta is recognised as the first ever barmaid of the Rovers Return Inn, an occupation which over time became an important role in the show.

Her stories include her marriage to Harry Hewitt (Ivan Beavis) and becoming step-mother to his rebellious daughter Lucille (Jennifer Moss).

It became one of Concepta's most notable storylines and helped raise Coronation Street's viewership to 21 million, which at the time was their highest audience share.

When Tim Aspinall took over as the producer of Coronation Street, he decided to write Concepta and Harry out of the series.

[3] In her back story, Concepta was born in Dublin and came to Weatherfield to work at the pub, moving into the spare room.

[5] In the book 50 Years of Coronation Street, author Tim Randall describes Concepta as a "sweet-natured" barmaid.

[7] Writers quickly established Concepta as the best friend and confidante of pub landlady Annie Walker (Doris Speed).

One such scene, recorded at a time Coronation Street was filmed and broadcast live in the United Kingdom nearly went wrong but was saved due to Keogh's acting skill.

When Jack directs Concepta into the Rovers Return to speak with Annie, Keogh proceeded to try the front door which was locked by mistake.

Keogh improvised and changed the lines, and joked that Jack locked himself out and proceeded to try and enter via the back of the pub.

[11][12] Concepta moves in with Harry and his daughter Lucille Hewitt (Jennifer Moss) at number seven Coronation Street.

[16] Florrie Lindley (Betty Alberge) soon finds Concepta wandering the streets crying in her search for Christopher.

[7] Elsie manages to track Christopher down to the home of Joan Akers (Anna Cropper), who has taken him because she is unstable following the death of her own child.

This time, Harry plans to open a garage in Castleblayney, leaving Lucille behind living on Coronation Street in the care of Annie and Jack.

Beavis claimed that he told Keogh of his shock stating "bloody hell, they're going to kill me off and you're staying for the funeral.

[28] A reporter from The Daily Telegraph named it as one of the show's "most dramatic" stories and branded Concepta "an excitable Irishwoman".

[29] Cillian O'Brien from Dublin Live stated that Keogh is "known as the first barmaid to ever pull a pint in Coronation Street.