Maxine Peacock Maxine Marion Louise Peacock ( née Heavey ) was a hairdresser and street resident between May 1995 and January 2003 . Biography . Maxine first appeared as a friend of Fiona Middleton ' s from college , working in Denise Osbourne ' s hair salon . She was very much a good time girl , and had relationships , often one - night stands , with several of the male characters , including Steve McDonald ( to get back at Fiona as he was her ex - boyfriend ) , Curly Watts ( when she was drunk ) , Des Barnes , Andy McDonald and Tony Horrocks . Maxine became a major character and her seemingly mismatched romance with Ashley Peacock provided the majority of her later storylines . Her end came as being one of the victims of resident Coronation Street serial killer , Richard Hillman . Relationship with Ashley Peacock . Maxine began dating Ashley Peacock but dumped him when he became involved with Zoe Tattersall and her baby , Shannon . After the baby died , Zoe got involved in the Cult , The Etheric Foundation and left . Ashley persuaded Maxine that he really did love her and soon she moved in with him . Seeking security , Maxine married Ashley in 1999 . She suspected Ashley of an affair in 2000 , but realised he had been faithful to her . Difficulties in the marriage emerged however , when Maxine had trouble becoming pregnant by Ashley . On the night that he had surgery to assist with this problem , a drunken Maxine slept with local doctor - and next door neighbour - Matt Ramsden , and became pregnant . Joshua Peacock ' s parentage . Maxine gave birth to her only child , Joshua , prematurely after a confrontation with Ashley , during which he found out about her fling with Matt . Ashley was furious with his wife , but was determined not to let anyone else on the Street know that the child might not be his . Ashley was determined to get a DNA test done to be certain of Joshua ' s parentage , despite Maxine ' s protestations that the test was unnecessary and that they could mend their relationship . On the day the test was to be done however , Ashley realised that Maxine was truly sorry for what had happened and that they could in fact be a happy family together . He forgave Maxine and took both her and Joshua home without getting the test done . Following Maxine ' s death , it emerged that Joshua was not Ashley ' s biological son , and had been fathered by Matt Ramsden . Though Matt considered seeking custody for a time , believing that with Maxine dead , Joshua should be with his other natural parent , he eventually realised Joshua was happier with Ashley . Maxine ' s demise . Maxine was murdered by Richard Hillman . He had planned to kill Emily Bishop , and broke into Ashley and Maxine ' s house on a night when Emily was babysitting Joshua . They were out attending Maxine ' s mother Doreen ' s 50th birthday party at the Rovers . Richard planned to make it seem as if the elderly woman had been killed during a bungled burglary . Maxine returned home alone early to witness Richard hit Emily over the head with a crowbar . As Joshua started crying , Maxine tried to run upstairs , but Richard hit her several times with the crowbar . Later , Ashley returned home to see Maxine ' s battered and bloodied body . Background information . After leaving " Coronation Street " , Tracy Shaw reprised the role of the ghost of Maxine Peacock , visiting Norris Cole in a one - off sketch show as part of ITV ' s " " charity initiative which was broadcast on 21st December 2012 . Quotes . " Why not ? That is until my agent rings . " ( First line ) " Richard , what the hell are you doing ? " ( Final line to Richard Hillman before being murdered by him )