Shirley Armitage

Shirley Armitage
Full name:  Parents:  Born:  Siblings:  Married:  Children:

Played by: Lisa Lewis Appeared: 5 December 1983 - 1989

Shirley was a machinist from Baldwin's factory. She fell in love with inexperienced Curly Watts and rented the shop flat together. Being coloured they encountered hostility from many quarters including their landlord, Alf Roberts and Curly's parents, but the relationship bloomed and Curly at last lost his virginity with Shirley. However, Curly's ambitions returned, and whilst Shirley brought in the money, he decided to return to college and take a business studies course - aginst Shirley's better judgement.

In May 1989, Shirley threw a suprise party to celibrate their first anniversary together, but Curly had to revise for his exams the next day and threw all their friends out. Realising that they were both changing, and would never bridge the interlectual and racial divide, Shirley packed her bags that night and went back to her parents, never to return.