In Coronation Street, evil teacher Megan Walsh is currently awaiting trial for grooming teenager Will Driscoll. We know that actor Beth Nixon is bowing out of the ITV soap later this year, but before that happens, the show is throwing a few spanners into the works.
One of those is the arrival of Megan’s mother Janine, who is set to light a few fireworks as soon as she arrives.
Played by musical theatre star Melissa Jacques, Janine will be clashing with members of Will’s family pretty much from her first scene.
Speaking to TV Times magazine, Eva Price actor Catherine Tyldesley said: “When Janine reveals who she is, it’s like a red rag to a bull for Ben.
“Janine tries to apologise on behalf of Megan; she is bewildered as to why this happened. But, sometimes, people grow up in normal, loving families and things go extremely wrong. That’s what Eva sees.
“She’s like, ‘It’s not Janine’s fault.’ Then you’ve got Maggie, who’s like, ‘Well, Megan has learnt this behaviour from someone!'”
Speaking of mothers, the return of Will’s mum Melanie means that Eva has to step back and not interfere when Melanie disagrees with Ben over whether Will should take to the stand in court or testify via link.
“It’s really hard for Eva, because she loves Ben’s boys,” Tyldesley added, explaining that Eva has first-hand experience of how Will is likely too vulnerable to take to the stand, but has to leave it to the actual parents to sort that out.
The actor also touched on the worry that if this trial doesn’t end with Megan getting sent down, she will dig her claws right back into Will, and no-one would be able to stop her.
