List of Coronation Street characters (1996)

Stephen Reid (also Potter) is the son of Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls). Audrey's father insisted that she give Stephen up for adoption after she gave birth to him at 16 years old. Malcolm Reid (Shane Rimmer), a neighbour and old boyfriend of Audrey, adopted Stephen and later emigrated to Canada with him.

In January 1996, Stephen arrived in Weatherfield to get to know his biological mother and carry out some business for his firm, KBec, with local tycoon Mike Baldwin (Johnny Briggs). During his stay, Mike's wife and Audrey's best friend, Alma Baldwin (Amanda Barrie), became besotted with him and made her feelings clear, but Stephen was not interested and returned to Canada once his work was completed. Stephen's nephew, Nick Tilsley (Adam Rickitt), later went to stay with his uncle in Canada for several months when he becomes troublesome towards his mother, Stephen's half-sister Gail Platt (Helen Worth), and adoptive father, Martin Platt (Sean Wilson). In 1999, following the break-up of his marriage to Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson), Nick again turns to Stephen, who offers him a job in Canada. Over the years, Audrey has maintained regular contact with Stephen and has even visited him many times. Gail's third husband, Richard Hillman (Brian Capron), also takes her to Canada for an impromptu visit at Christmas 2001.

On 10 December 2007, Stephen returns to Weatherfield to spend Christmas with Audrey en route to Italy, from where he intends to expand his business empire into Europe. On 14 December, Stephen invites his youngest nephew, David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd), to join him in his Italian home, which he accepts, to the disappointment of his niece and David's half-sister Sarah Platt (Tina O'Brien). On 21 December, David's ambitions are ruined when Sarah buys some ecstasy tablets from a drug dealer in Leanne's restaurant, Valandros, and plants them in David's drawer in Audrey's Salon. Audrey opens the drawer and discovers the pills. After deciding David is too much of a troublemaker, Stephen leaves Weatherfield on Boxing Day and is joined by Sarah and her daughter Bethany (Emily Walton) four days later. Gail visited them in June 2008. In 2015, he fires Sarah over the phone when she fails to email him an urgent report.

In 2022, it was reported that Stephen would return as part of a "long-term" story. Boyce reprised his role in the episode broadcast on 24 June 2022. In September 2022, Stephen accidentally kills Jenny Connor's boyfriend, Leo Thompkins (Joe Frost) after the latter confronted him about his true financial situation. In January 2023, Leo's father Teddy Thompkins (Grant Burgin) regains his memory after being hit by a van, becomes suspicious of Stephen and threatens to call the police. Not taking any chances, Stephen hits Teddy over the head with a hole punch, killing him. He later kills business rival Rufus by drugging him and drowning him in his own pool, making it look like an accident. In October, Stephen planned to flee the country as the police closed in on him. After attacking Tim Metcalfe (who had grown suspicious of Stephen) and leaving him for dead, he leaves for the airport after realising partner Jenny is suspicious of him. Upon reaching check-in, Stephen realises he does not have his passport and returns to Weatherfield, hiding in the closed Rovers Return. Jenny and Sarah meet in the pub where, to their horror, Stephen appears, knocking Sarah out. After admitting to Jenny he killed Leo, Teddy and Rufus, Stephen takes her hostage in the street as horrified residents, including Audrey, look on. Stephen orders David to bring him his car, but then has a change of heart and decides to set Jenny free. However, moments later Stephen is run over by a taxi driven by Peter Barlow. Michael Bailey (Ryan Russell) administers CPR but despite all of the valiant efforts made to save his life, Stephen succumbs to his injures and dies, leaving Audrey heartbroken. Provided by Wikipedia