Natalie Barnes

Natalie Horrocks (also Brownlow and Barnes) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, played by Denise Welch.

Natalie first appears in Weatherfield in February 1997 after her son Tony Horrocks (Lee Warburton), co-owner of MVB Motors, suffers a breakdown after running over and killing Joyce Smedley (Anita Carey) in his car.

[1] She takes over the running of the garage, implementing a new billing system computer program and acting as part owner and manager in her son's absence.

There she begins a relationship with Tony's business partner Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell), despite the fact he is married and a lot younger than her.

Natalie becomes friendly with Des Barnes (Philip Middlemiss) while he is dating her colleague, fellow barmaid Samantha Failsworth (Tina Hobley).

The marquee is decorated by Hayley Patterson (Julie Hesmondhalgh), the best man is Les Battersby (Bruce Jones) and the champagne flows.

After shifting Jack (Bill Tarmey) and Vera Duckworth (Liz Dawn) from their lodgings upstairs, Natalie moves into the pub and redecorates.

After the break-up of her marriage to Nick Tilsley (Adam Rickett), Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) moves into The Rovers with Natalie.

The Rovers are robbed on New Year's Day 2000 after Leanne falls into debt with drug dealer Jez Quigley (Lee Boardman) over her cocaine addiction.

Natalie is devastated to discover that the body recently found in the new development of Victoria Street is that of her son, Tony.

Des's brother Colin Barnes (Ian Embleton) makes a scene at Tony's funeral, which leads to the police questioning him.

Natalie is ashamed, especially as it damages her relationship with Vinny, but is determined to find out who has murdered her son, putting up a £10,000 award for information, regarding Tony's death.

They leave Weatherfield together, going to Southampton, with Vinny hoping to get a job with Debs on a cruise ship, unaware that Natalie is pregnant.

[2] Barmaid Geena Gregory (Jennifer James) announces in The Rovers that Natalie has given birth to a baby girl named Laura.

Viewers have seen her steal Kevin Webster, from his wife Sally, and her own husband Des Barnes was murdered a month after they married last year.