Crazy about cuddles:

Coronation Street actress talks about the joys of motherhood as she relishes her return to the British soap.

Catherine Tyldesley is loving being back on Coronation Street in her role as Eva Price, after taking an extended break to have a baby. She gave birth to a healthy boy who she and her husband Tom Pitfield have named Alfie.

And although Catherine, 33, loves being an actress on Coro, she is also relishing her role as a first-time mother.

“I feel really lucky,” says Catherine, “because (at the

Coro studios in Manchester) I’m not even 10 minutes away from home. So If I’ve got a long lunch or a scene off, I can nip home and get my cuddles.

“It’s like I’ve never been away in terms of returning to the studios. It is like a big family. Nothing’s changed and I don’t think I had realised quite how much I’d missed it. It’s my second home so it’s been really nice to see everybody and get stuck back in.”

When asked what she enjoys most about motherhood, Catherine has no hesitation in replying: “It has to be the cuddles and the dribble kisses.” Catherine says it has also been helpful that other cast members – including Paula Lane (Kylie Platt) and Jennie McAlpine (Fiz Stape) – had taken breaks to have babies. It meant they could all support each other.

“It’s great, it’s very reassuring,” says Catherine. “We can all help each other out with bits of advice. It’s worked out really nicely that there’s been a bit of a baby boom.

“Our boys (Alfie – Catherine,

Arthur – Paula, and Albert – Jennie) have met a few times now which is lovely.”

As far as Coronation Street viewers were concerned, Eva had left the Street for France after her split with Jason Grimshaw.

She then became engaged to a Frenchman who later cheated on her, prompting Eva’s return to Weatherfield.

Catherine believes that Eva would love to reignite the former fire she had in her relationship with Jason.

“She is still very much in love with Jason and although she feels embarrassed coming back to the Street having had another failed relationship, in her heart of hearts I think she’s hoping she might rekindle something with Jason.”

Even when they first saw each other again, the attraction was clear.

“I think for the pair of them it’s Cupid’s bow re-attaching itself to them,” Catherine laughs.

Catherine certainly hopes it works out between Jason and Eva, who seem well suited. Neither is the sharpest tool in the workshop, so it really is a meeting of minds.

“I think they work together,” says Catherine. “They’re a sweet couple who’ve had a fair amount of tragedy in love so I think it would be nice for them both to have a happy partnership finally.”

However, it seems as though Jason may have competition with Underworld’s Aidan Connor having an eye for Eva himself.

As far as Eva’s own prospects are concerned, Catherine is turning her eyes to the Rovers Return.

“I adore working in the Rovers as an actress and I think it’s the right place for Eva.

“She’s ideal barmaid fodder. She’s got the feistiness and she uses her sexuality to get what she wants. It’s the ideal environment for Eva so I’d love to be back in there.”