You must be kidding!

Faye Brookes on her baby-mad character Kate Connor’s indecent proposal to Robert Preston in Corrie

Coronation Street’s Kate Connor and Rana Nazir have only just got engaged, but Kate is al ready pushing for them to start a family. According to Faye Brookes, who plays Kate, the waitress is desperate for a baby to ‘fill the void’ left by the suicide of her brother, Aidan, earlier this year. And she’s so excited by the prospect of becoming a mum she’ll stop at nothing to get what she wants, despite Rana’s misgivings. This week alone, she explores IVF, suggests adoption and even tries to persuade Robert Preston to father her child!

‘Kate has the girl, plans to get married and wants a happily-ever-after, so she starts to talk about children,’ says Faye. ‘It’s all happening quickly but I believe Kate is spiralling out of control because she’s had a delayed reaction to Aidan’s death.

‘Having a baby may not be the answer, but Kate thinks that as she couldn’t take care of Aidan, taking care of a child could fill that void. Rana’s going along with it, despite having obvious doubts, but Kate’s so stupidly excited that nothing’s going to stop her from getting this baby.’

This week, the couple make enquiries about the possibility of using IVF, and are shocked when they learn the cost. ‘But nothing’s going to get in Kate’s way so she’ll beg, borrow or steal the money,’ says Faye.

The couple also agree that Kate will carry the child, even if Rana isn’t totally OK with it. Faye says, ‘Kate doesn’t cotton on that Rana may not even want a baby because all she wants is this perfect little family.’

Rana finally comes clean about her feelings, and explains she isn’t happy with the idea of a stranger fathering their baby. Kate doesn’t take the hint and then infuriates her partner by

barging into the medical centre where Rana works as a nurse to suggest they adopt a child instead.

Told to leave by Rana, Kate drowns her sorrows and drunkenly suggests to broody Robert Preston that he could father their child. ‘Kate’s being a brat, which is why she gets drunk, and when Robert tries to comfort her, she sees an opportunity,’ says Faye. ‘ Even though Rober t’s happily with Michelle, they might not have kids together, and Kate jumps on that.

‘She doesn’t even think about Rana, or Michelle, or the issues it could

cause; she just thinks, “Robert wants to be a dad and I need a baby.”’

Robert dismisses the idea, but will he have second thoughts and, if so, what will happen then? ‘This is Corrie – it will cause massive issues and huge drama,’ predicts Faye, who’s been on the show for three years and won best newcomer at the 2017 National Television Awards.

The 31-year-old actress insists she’s happy personally and professionally, despite a recent break-up with singer Gareth Gates after six years together. ‘I love my job,’ she says. ‘Life is good.’