Jesse James Chadwick arrived to entertain the guests at Amy Barlow's birthday party in December 2008, but he turned up - minus his wife, the other half of his double act. He was clearly not in the mood for entertaining as his wife had run off with someone else. Steve McDonald, Amy's father managed to console Jesse who agreed to do the party for Amy. When Eileen Grimshaw arrived in the pub, the pair hit it off and soon, Eileen was donning his ex-wife Hia-Lowa's costume and entertaining the kids. He later hit it off with Eileen during a post-gig drink.
Months later while doing a children's play, him and Eileen crossed paths when she took Amy Barlow along so she can meet him again. He began turning up in the street, but Eileen was fed up with him being scared of his mum and always running back to her when she wanted him back home. He later moved in with Eileen, and also took his pet parrot Jon along as well, which ended up taking a dislike to Eileen.
In 2010, Jesse won a lot of money at the bookies, and Eileen hoped he would treat her, and although he did get her a present, he splashed out the money on a holiday for him and his parents. Angry, Eileen told him to leave, which he did. Jesse later returned after getting back from holiday, hoping for forgiveness. Believing there wasnt a future for him and Eileen, he attempted to make a pass at her half-sister Julie Carp, and a shocked Julie told Eileen just as she decided to get back with Jesse. When he came back, Eileen and Julie gave him his stuff and chased him away, and he left the street for good.
Quotes
"Are you Steve McDonald" (First Line to Steve)
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"Why did you have to go and spoil everything?" (Final Line)
Background information
- John Thomson initially signed for a three-episode stint in the role of Jesse with a longer stint planned in the future. Thomson eventually became part of the regular cast when he signed a six-month contract for his return.
- The character was written out when Thomson agreed with producers that there was nowhere to take the character of Jesse.