Harvey Shaw

Harvey Shaw was the wealthy father of Jonathan Wright and fiancé of Alison Wright until he walked out on her in 1974, leading her to turn to Ray Langton for help.

The family lived in Harvey's posh Manchester flat until the May after Jonathan was born when, following rows over Harvey seeing other women, Harvey left Alison and the baby and broke the engagement. Alison couldn't afford the rent on her own and so, having failed to find alternative accommodation, she sought out Ray at 9 Coronation Street and was given a bed for a few nights while Len Fairclough was away, transferring to The Kabin flat when Len came back.

When Len and Rita had to cancel an intimate evening together to baby-sit Jonathan, Len decided that enough was enough and enquired after Harvey at his flats, pretending to be a mate. Len then called Harvey and offered to give him a good hiding for deserting his family. Harvey took the bait, making his way to Coronation Street to thump Len. More refined than Len's usual sparring partners, Harvey caused a stir in the Street by pulling up in a Jaguar XJ6 and waiting in the Rovers Return for Len to appear. When Len explained that he wasn't interested in Alison and that he just wanted her and Jonathan out of his girlfriend's flat, Harvey graciously backed down and even bought drinks all round to celebrate. Rita then fetched Alison, passing on £20 from Harvey in exchange for hearing him out, though Alison returned the money to Harvey when she arrived at the Rovers and fell into his arms. Reunited, the family set off home, with Harvey thanking everyone for bringing them together on his way out - adding that he hoped never to clap eyes on any of them again.