‘I was battered for real by killer Pat’

CORRIE star Kym Marsh was left bruised and battered after filming for next week’s harrowing storyline.

Kym, who plays Michelle Connor, is shot by serial killer Pat Phelan. And the actress said they were all determined to make it look as real as possible.

Kym, 41, added: “In those scenes in the Bistro I’m being thrown around by Connor McIntyre, who’s a strong man, and I had to throw myself on the floor. I was bruised.

“You do it but your body doesn’t realise it’s not really happening.

“When I did the baby loss story last year I was so tired at the end of the day because I’d been crying and emotional.

“I’d go to sleep and wake up at two in the morning with my heart racing.

“It takes a long time for your body to go back to normal, it’s quite a physical job.” Kym also revealed that outgoing boss Kate Oates made sure she would be staying in the show by getting her to sign a new deal.

She said: “I’m really excited. I love being a part of the show.

“This will be my 13th year and I’ve loved every second of my time here. I’ve learned so much from all the other actors.

“To get a job like this when I hadn’t been acting very long, supposedly only for four episodes.

“But here I am nearly 13 years later. I must be doing something right. Although when I read that I was going to get shot I was like: ‘Oh alright then, what’s going to happen?’. “It’s great though because I’ve obviously never played anything like this before.

“It was another first for me and it’s always good to get a bit of a challenge.” Coronation Street kicks off its week of dramatic episodes from tomorrow night at 9pm on ITV.