‘Mary’sdressis tasteful–forher…’

Patti Clare, 49, has played Mary for nearly 10 years and is a three-time winner of the British Soap Award for Best Comedy Performance.

Tell us about Mary’s wedding dress?

It’s beautiful, and very simple. Mary’s allowed herself a little bit of sparkle, but not much; it’s very tasteful – for her!

Why are Mary and Norris getting married?

Norris had this brilliant idea of entering Mary and Norris for a Mr and Mrs competition to win a roundthe-world trip, so they could visit Emily Bishop in Peru and Mary’s son, Jude, in South Africa. Rita points out that what they’re doing is fraud, so Mary decides they have to get married.

What do you enjoy on TV?

I couldn’t stop watching

The Crown, about Queen Elizabeth’s first few years as queen. It really surprised me that I enjoyed it so much because I’m not a royalist, but it was fabulous.

Thoughts on Mary’s son?

Paddy Wallace, the actor who plays my son, is a very tall, well-built, handsome young man, and I’m so proud of him. I keep introducing him as my son, and then I have to say to myself, ‘It’s not real, Patti...’

Mary can be quite saucy – always making double entendres...

Sometimes she makes them in pure innocence. But I’ve noticed with men, in particular Adam Barlow, she can be quite flirtatious. You’ve been on the cobbles for nine years. Did you ever think you’d stay this long? No! But because the show is relentless – it only closes for two weeks a year. You’re in a strange parallel universe the minute you come through the door, and time travels. How has Corrie changed your life? I’m still finding out. But the security of regular employment as an actress in the UK at my age is quite phenomenal. And being part of a great, established show is quite something as well. The job is a privilege.

Your dream job?

A period drama, corsets and things like that. But a really dark one.