The new Channel 5 thriller Number One Fan stars two former Coronation Street actors, Sally Lindsay and Jill Halfpenny, who deliver performances that are impossible to fault. The four-part series follows daytime TV presenter Lucy Logan (Halfpenny) as she is stalked by a seemingly devoted fan, Donna (Lindsay). While the drama is far from sophisticated, it offers plenty of twists and turns for an entertaining ride.
A Tale of Two Coronation Street Graduates
Both Lindsay and Halfpenny rose to fame during Coronation Street's golden era in the 1990s and early 2000s. Lindsay played Shelley Unwin, while Halfpenny portrayed Rebecca Hopkins. Their presence alone guarantees a good time, even if the soap has since declined in quality.
Plot Summary
Halfpenny's character, Lucy Logan, is a beloved daytime TV presenter with her own show, a sponsorship deal for her wardrobe, and a line of pampering products. Her life seems perfect until she receives a box of truffles filled with manure from an unknown sender. After her bag is snatched in a supermarket car park, she is rescued by Donna, an ex-military fan who quickly becomes a fixture at her show and even appears outside her daughter's school. Things escalate when Lucy finds messages written in lipstick on her bedroom mirror.
The plot thickens with a husband in financial trouble, a son involved with an eco-activist group, and a daughter at risk. The mysterious truffle-sender, seen shouting at Lucy's show or throwing darts at her picture, is likely connected to the stalking.
Performance and Entertainment Value
The success of Number One Fan hinges on its two leads, who are in almost every scene and sell the preposterous events with conviction. Lindsay and Halfpenny are constitutionally incapable of hitting a false note, making the drama a harmless four hours of fun. While not wildly sophisticated, the series delivers on its promise of twists and turns.
Number One Fan is currently airing on Channel 5.
