Kerry Young (The Bill): Difference between revisions

Kerry Young
File:PC Kerry Young.jpg Beth Cordingly as PC Kerry Young
First appearance	Episode 25 (11/07/2002)
Last appearance	Episode 254 (21/10/2004)
Portrayed by	Beth Cordingly
In-universe information
Title	Police Constable
Occupation	Police Officer

Police Constable Kerry Young was a fictional character in the ITV police drama The Bill. She was played by Beth Cordingly. Her call sign was 'SO 202' or 'Sierra Oscar two zero two'.

PC Kerry Young

Kerry Young was decribed as a sparky, down to earth and upbeat woman with confidence. She was brought up single handedly by her father Graham because her mother died when she was four years old. Gregarious and friendly, Kerry always enjoyed a group situation, thriving on the approval of others. A career in the police force offered her a team atmosphere and ordered structure that she craved from the services, so she signed herself up straight from school.

Kerry first appeared as a woman who PC Nick Klein met in a nightclub and they went on to have a one-night stand. Much to Nick's embarrassment, she turned up the following morning as the new recruit at Sun Hill.

A young woman who lived life to the full, she was a great believer in fate and had an optimistic sense of "everything will work out for the best". Unfortunately this attitude sometimes led Kerry into trouble when she didn't weigh up the consequences against actions. She frustrated the older members of the relief with her occasional bursts of rashness brought on by frustration. Always leaping before she looked, on the whole Kerry tended to land on her feet - or her natural charm enlisted someone else to help her extricate herself from most of her scrapes. On the rare occasion that her charm didn't work, or if someone decided they didn't like her, she'd become petulant.

Marriage to Luke Ashton

Shortly after arriving at Sun Hill, Kerry fell for PC Luke Ashton and the two began a relationship that very quickly led to an engagement. Kerry and Luke were married soon afterwards but unbeknowst to Kerry, Luke was gay and had a one-night stand with Sergeant Craig Gilmore on his stag night.

It wasn't until Kerry announced she was expecting a baby that she discovered the truth about Luke and that he had been unfaithful to her. Heartbroken, Kerry decided to have an abortion but was persuaded by Luke not to go through with it. Despite listening to him, Kerry told Luke that their marriage was over and left him. Sadly, she had a miscarriage shortly afterwards.

Relationship with Dale Smith

Several months later when a new Sergeant arrived at Sun Hill, Luke was surprised to see an old face return - Dale Smith. Kerry fell for him immediately and had a light-hearted fliration with him, resulting in them kissing on his first day back at Sun Hill. A relationship developed between the two, much to the dismay of Luke. Luke later left Sun Hill and Kerry was heartbroken, having begged him to move away with her and vowed that she would never let a man treat her like that again.

Some time later, Smithy built up the courage to ask Kerry out on a date, which she accepted, but he later backed out when he decided that an intimate relationship between a Sergeant and a PC would not work and denied that he was attracted to her. But Kerry knew Smithy couldn't resist his chances with her and seduced him in the back of his car during an obbo, only to be interrupted by PC Des Taviner. Smithy thereafter made it clear to Kerry that their relationship was strictly professional, but later regreted pushing her away.

Love triangle with Smithy and Cameron Tait

Following a drunken night of passion, Kerry began a relationship with PC Cameron Tait. However, what she didn't realise was that she was caught up in a love triangle with both Cameron and Smithy, as both men were pining for her affections. Smithy's jealousy of Cameron led him to warning Cameron about Kerry's so-called 'reputation' and Cameron stormed off after a huge row with Kerry on the subject. Kerry grew ever more irate with Smithy's jealous behaviour and accused him of trying to ruin her relationship with Cameron. After a heavy drinking session, Kerry and Smithy ended up having a one-night stand.

However, Kerry had no recollection of her night of passion with Smithy. Vulnerable, she was persuaded by PC Gabriel Kent to believe that Smithy had raped her but did not make the allegation official. Smithy's reputation with the relief was damaged as the rumours spread and when Cameron eventually found out the truth, Kerry's personal life took centre stage during an armed robbery at a bank where the manger had a bomb strapped to his waist. Kerry was momentarily distracted by Cameron's demand for answers, and the bomb went off whilst she was unable to diffuse the panic. Kerry later accepted that even though Smithy had taken advantage, he hadn't raped her and dropped the allegation completely. Despite Kerry's affair with Smithy, she and Cameron decided to give their disastrous relationship another try.

Attack by Gabriel Kent

Kerry began to question Gabriel's friendship when he tried to kiss her while out on call. Cameron later surprised her with a marriage proposal, which she accepted. But however, Kerry was brutally raped by the increasingly manipulative Gabriel. Kerry was distraught when she realised she couldn't tell the truth following her previous 'cry of rape', and when Cameron left Sun Hill following the revelation, Kerry's life was turned completely upside down and she gave up completely. No longer happy-go-lucky, Kerry turned into a very different person and was guided by a darker force.

Smithy declares his love

Smithy became alarmed by Kerry's self-destructive behaviour, particularly her insubordinacy towards superior officers and her secret covert mission to expose the criminal family, the Radfords. Kerry's feelings intensified towards Smithy when she realised he cared about her, even when she faced suspension from the Met. He finally declared his love for her when she was visting her ill father in hospital and she began to see the light once again.

Kerry's tragic death

Kerry had discovered that Gabriel was working with the Force under a false identity and that PC Andera Dunbar was really an undercover journalist, leaking stories from the station to the press. Kerry decided to reveal all that she knew before resigning from the Force, prompting her to declare her love for Smithy. But just moments after Kerry told Smithy that she loved him too, Gabriel took aim from the rooftop of a nearby building with a sniper rifle and Kerry was shot. Gunned down in his arms, Smithy cradled Kerry as she was left fighting for her life and remained at her side when she was rushed to hospital. Upon arrival, Smithy watched helplessly as the doctors tried to resucitate Kerry but they lost their battle to save her and she tragically died right in front him. Heartbroken, Smithy broke down and could not keep his grief hidden; he was left to mourn the loss of the only woman he has ever truly loved.

External links

• PC Kerry Young