Catherine Tyldesley: ‘If my man cheated, I’d be heartbroken’
As Eva discovers Aidan’s affair, we catch up with Corrie’s hottest on-off couple… best favourites Catherine Tyldesley and Shayne Ward
Coronation Street is famed for its love triangles – and this week’s action from the cobbles doesn’t disappoint. Just as Aidan Connor (Shayne Ward) finished with Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley) to be with Maria Connor, Eva found out about the affair and dropped her own bombshell – telling Aidan she’s pregnant with his child!
CATHERINE
How does Eva react when she finds out about Aidan and Maria? She reverts back to Eva the diva, which is great! When I first came into Corrie, she was of that ilk, and it’s nice to see her feisty side again. She’s quite extreme in the way she reacts, though. I was literally so scared to turn every page [of the script]! Do you have sympathy for Aidan? Absolutely none. I think Aidan does loveand eat Eva, it. but For he me, wants you’re to eitherhave his with cake someoneplay the field,or you’refair enough,not. If you but wantif you to commit, then commit! It doesn’t look like it’ll happen with Aidan, but would you like Eva to have a Corrie wedding? Of course! It would be a cross between
Big Fat Gypsy Weddings and The Real Housewives Of Cheshire! Does this mean we won’t be hearing Eva’s famous laugh for a while? No, I’ve been doing a lot of crying! People keep sending me tweets asking for Eva’s laugh as a ringtone. As if you’d want that as your ringtone! You’d throw your phone out of the window… Do people stop you in the street about the love triangle? All the time! Everyone’s Team Eva. People take it really seriously. I’ve had folk pull me to one side and say, ‘Do you know?’ I’m like, ‘Guys, it’s not real.’ How would you feel if it happened to you in real life? I don’t think I’d be doing what Eva’s doing, but I’d be absolutely heartbroken. How do you balance work and being a mum [to son Alfie, two]? When I first had Alfie, I thought I’d find the balance, but it doesn’t exist. I’m lucky to have an amazing support network and I only live 10 minutes from the Trafford Wharf Studios [where Corrie is filmed], so I can nip home at lunch if I need to give Alfie a squidge!
SHAYNE
Hi, Shayne. How does Aidan feel when Eva tells him the shock news that she’s pregnant? He’s never thought about being a dad, so it’s like, ‘Oh, my God – really?’ But he’s delighted. Have you enjoyed the lovetriangle storyline so far? Can’t complain! I’ve known Cath and Samia [Longchambon, who plays Maria] for years, so everything’s easy in terms of working together. We have a great laugh, on and off-screen. You do start to feel like the fights are real, though! After [acting out] a row, I usually end up asking the girls if we’re still friends. Has Eva’s revenge scared you about how far a woman scorned can go? No. My mum watches Women Who Kill – I know how lethal they can be! What does your partner [ Hollyoaks actress Sophie Austin] think of you kissing all these women on screen? She acts herself, so she snogs people – and kills people, ha ha! [Sophie played serial killer Lindsey Roscoe]. How does Aidan’s story compare to when you found out you were going to be a dad? All my love, focus and attention were on Sophie. It was the best day of my life when I found out she was having our baby. How would you feel if someone treated your daughter, Willow, badly when she’s older? Don’t get me started! When I first started doing interviews about this storyline, I’d say, ‘Aidan’s genuinely torn between two women – he’s fallen in love with the pair of them.’ Now, he’s just a dog. If anyone did that to my daughter… How are you finding parenthood and busy work schedules? I so appreciate what mums do. It’s crazy! I had a full day with my daughter yesterday, as Sophie was working. I sent her a little video message and said, ‘Come home quick – please!’ Willow’s such a good baby, but I asked Sophie how she manages to get the chores done. She does them when the baby goes to sleep, and she told me I’d have a 20-minute window. That’s not enough time… Has fatherhood changed you? Everything else is a hobby now. I think I was born to be a dad. Willow May’s wonderful. It’s just incredible, this bond you feel. I can’t imagine my life without my little girl. Would you like more kids? It’s funny – every time Sophie reads an interview, I’m giving out different numbers on how many kids I want! She’s like, ‘How many bloody kids do you want?!’ How many do you want, then? I always say seven, because I’m one of seven. But, if we’re blessed to have another two or three, that’d be great. It depends on Sophie. I back her 100 per cent and, if she wants to go back to acting, then absolutely… Do you get recognised more from Corrie, or as a singer? A lot of young Corrie fans don’t know me from The X Factor – I’m Aidan to them. I was out shopping recently and this young lad shouted, ‘Stop sleeping with Maria. You’re with Eva!’ I asked if I could film him, and sent it on to Cath! l You can follow Coronation Street on Twitter @itvcorrie and Instagram @coronationstreet