Leigh Dawn

Leigh Dawn is the ex-girlfriend of Nick Evans. She made her debut in December 2007, and left in March 2008. She returned in December 2016. She departed in August 2019. She was played by Leah Morris between 2007-08, and by Sophie Porley between 2016-19. She was set return in 2020, played by Jennifer Brooke, but this caused such a negative response that this was scrapped. The character made an unannounced return in December 2020. The character was killed off in December 2022.

## Storylines

### 2007-08

Leigh first appears in December 2007, when Nick sneaks out of the house on Christmas Day to meet up with her. Nick at this point is also seeing Sarah Sinkling. In January 2008, Nick and their family move closer, living just across the road from where Leigh is living. Sarah then find a out that Nick had been seeing Leigh, and Nick reacts by pushing her into mud. A few months later, Leigh moves out.

### 2016-

Nearly 9 years later, Leigh turns up in Hole Street, looking for Nick. She knocks on the door of 1 Hole Street, where Nick was living the last time they met, and Delilah tells her they live at No.4. Nick is pleased to see her, and the two get talking. Natalie & Alex are both suspicious, especially when Leigh comes to spend Christmas with them. Nick and Leigh start an affair behind Natalie's back, and in July 2017, the two are together at Leigh's flat when a helicopter crashes into The Tumpetty. Everyone thinks that Nick is in The Tumpetty. Shive, Mareon & Gemma all die in the collapse, and a hysterical Delilah goes into labour. Nick returns to find chaos. Later, Natalie finds a secret mobile phone with messages from Leigh to Nick, and Natalie confronts Nick and walks out. Nick and Leigh start a proper relationship, and arrange to get married, however Nick says they can't go through with it, as so many people won't be there. Leigh is upset and walks off. Nick then gets depression and tries to kill themself by jumping off a multi storey car park, however is stopped by Delilah, Rebecca, George, Holly, Kales & Leigh. In May 2018, Leigh gives birth to a baby girl, Christina, who dies, devastating her. Nita gives birth to a baby boy a week later, Bobby, and gives him to Leigh. In August 2019, Leigh departs, and gives Bobby back to Nick. In December 2020, on Christmas day, Leigh phoned Jade, and asks to meet up with them. Leigh spends Christmas Day with Jade, and the pair later kiss. In January 2021, Emma finds out that Leigh spent Christmas Day with Jade. Jade tells her the truth, including the kiss, and tells her it meant nothing. Emma punches Leigh and tells her to stay away. In December 2022, Leigh helps George, and the pair later kiss. The truth is discovered on Christmas Day, with Leigh thrown out of The Tumpetty. Leigh is later murdered by an unknown assailant. This is later revealed as Lulu Spider.

## Background Info

Leigh Dawn originated in a dream NJE had in 2007, about a friend named Leigh, who they went to visit. Leigh joined N&F soon after, in episode 2. Leigh left in March 2008. In August 2016, it was announced that Office Workers actress Sophie Porley was arriving as an unknown character, fans has several theories, however it was announced that it was Leigh Dawn, Nick's ex girlfriend from 9 years earlier. Leigh returned in December 2016. The pairing of Nick and Leigh was popular with viewers. However they split up in October 2017. The scenes where Leigh's baby died in May 2018, caused praise for the character. In April 2019, it was announced that Porley had been axed due to potential lying about her age. Some sources listed her as born in 1992, which NJE assumed was right, whereas others listed her as born in 1987, nine years older than her character and therefore too old to play Leigh. Rachel Adedeji, who plays her sister Naomi was also axed as a result, and was reportedly "furious" with Porley. Leigh departed in August 2019. NJE reportedly told Porley that the character could return if her age was confirmed to be 1992. However in March 2020, it was announced that Porley was actually born in 1987, which means that the character will have to be recast if the character returns. Later that day, the character was announced to be returning later in the year, played by Jennifer Brooke. This caused a great amount of controversy, with a petition started to stop Leigh's return. In May, NJE announced that this plan was scrapped. In December 2020, on Christmas Day, Leigh made an unannounced return. Fans were surprised, especially when NJE announced that they'd forgiven Porley. In August 2022, it was announced that Leigh was leaving N&F. This decision was unpopular with viewers. The character was killed off in December 2022.