Ena Sharples

Ena Sharples (née Schofield) was one of the original characters from the British soap opera Coronation Street, played by Violet Carson.

Development

Ena appeared in the series for 20 years between 1960 and 1980, was the caretaker of the mission hall and spent much of her time criticizing the activities of the street's other residents. She was one of the main characters during the 1960s, she was featured less regularly in the 1970s, due to the declining health of actress Violet Carson, and was written out in 1980. Almost always wearing a double-breasted overcoat and hairnet, she spent much of her free time in the series' early years with her two cronies, Martha Longhurst (Lynne Carol) and Minnie Caldwell (Margot Bryant), in the snug bar of The Rovers Return Inn, drinking milk stout. Ena particularly criticized Elsie Tanner (Pat Phoenix), whom she believed held a loose set of morals. In turn, Elsie strongly disliked Ena for her seemingly incessant gossip and desire to know about the private lives of others, and the two confronted each other frequently.