LANDLADY in waiting
As Toyah and Peter take charge of the Rovers, Georgia Taylor reckons that Toyah can’t give up on her dream of a baby…
I’ve never worked in a pub before!” admits Georgia Taylor, when she joins Inside Soap for a chat as alter ego Toyah and Peter take the helm at the Rovers. But with all hands to the beer pumps, Georgia will need to learn the tricks of her character’s new trade fast. Managing the local boozer brings with it great responsibility – but while Toyah stands proudly next to Peter behind the bar, pulling pints isn’t the only thing on her mind.
This week, she’s convinced her exciting new start at the pub will be topped off by the discovery that she’s finally expecting. But while Toyah awaits her latest pregnancy test results with fingers crossed, Georgia is getting ready to be the new queen of the Rovers – and is delighted to be following in hallowed footsteps…
“I’d probably say Liz is one of my favourite Rovers landladies,” enthuses the 37-year-old. “Bev Callard, who plays her, has created such a classic Corrie matriarch, and is so adept at balancing comedy and drama. Also, Liz’s outfits are insanely brilliant, and I adore her relationship with Steve. I also loved the character of Raquel Watts. Sarah Lancashire [who portrayed her from 1991 to 1996] is fantastic.”
While Toyah is intent on making the most of the all-important Rovers job, finding out that she’s pregnant would be the icing on the cake. She and Peter are finally getting things back on track, and the Rovers takeover is their chance to properly cement the relationship. So Georgia has high hopes for their future together, whatever lies ahead for the pair.
“Toyah and Peter are in a good place,” insists the actress, who originally starred in the Street from 1997 to 2003. “Toyah is really excited about being Rovers landlady, and is feeling upbeat about the fresh start. They’ve been through a lot in the last six months, with the attack on Ken and Chloe’s stalking, but now they’re focused on their future and hopefully starting a family together.”
Toyah’s optimism is pretty admirable, considering her bid to conceive has taken her on such a tough journey. And Georgia knows what’s at stake if things don’t go to plan for her character…
“I feel for Toyah – having a baby is very much the driving force in her life”
“I do feel for Toyah,” sighs the actress. “Having a baby is very much the driving force in her life, and at times she can be consumed by it. I can’t imagine what it must be like to have gone through that many rounds of IVF treatment, and to have your hopes constantly dashed when it’s the thing you most want in life.
“Toyah genuinely loves Peter – she likes to see the best in people and admires the way he is with his son Simon, so she believes they can be a proper family. I think they have a lot of love to offer a child. Toyah is fixated on having a baby of her own, and she really feels this is the time.”
Whether or not she gets the result she’s looking for, Toyah at least has the invaluable support of her sister Leanne. Georgia and Jane Danson, who plays Leanne, recently marked the 20th anniversary of their first day on Coronation
Street – but although the girls, who have remained close friends over those two decades, noted the important milestone, there was no Battersbystyle brash bash to celebrate…
“Jane and I had already arranged to go out for a coffee on that day – and then we realised it was our 20-year anniversary!” laughs Georgia. “We put a picture on Twitter, and I couldn’t believe the number of comments. It was lovely.”