Tom “Rocky” Cotton

Name: Tom “Rocky” Cotton
First Appeared: 18th May 2021
Last Appeared: 17th April 2025
Played by: Brian Conley

Tom “Rocky” Cotton, the man who arrived in Walford with more aliases than a spy, has certainly made his mark since he first showed up in 2021. Initially posing as Terry Cant, Rocky’s charm and knack for storytelling quickly won over the locals, even if his true identity was a bit of a mystery.

Rocky’s entrance was nothing short of dramatic. He claimed to be Sonia Fowler’s long-lost father, and while Sonia was initially sceptical, Rocky’s persistence paid off. But as with all things in Walford, the truth eventually came out. Rocky was actually Tom Cotton, half-brother to the infamous Nick Cotton, and his arrival brought a fresh wave of Cotton family drama to the Square.

One of Rocky’s most memorable escapades involved his whirlwind romance with Kathy Beale. Their relationship was a rollercoaster, complete with secret wives, insurance scams, and a parrot named Jasper. Yes, you read that right – a parrot. Rocky’s attempt to juggle his past and present lives led to some truly hilarious moments, especially when his wife Jo Cotton turned up, revealing Rocky’s bigamy to the whole Square.

Rocky’s knack for getting into sticky situations didn’t stop there. He was involved in an arson plot that saw the Bridge Street Café go up in flames, all part of a misguided insurance scam. Despite his questionable decisions, Rocky’s heart was often in the right place, even if his methods were a bit unconventional. He went to prison for arson this time, but Kathy vowed to wait for him.