Abi desperately needs an alibi
As the two mechanics finally make their romance official, Sally Carman hopes her alter ego won’t live happily ever after…
I’ve been asked this question before, and I don’t think my answer’s ever going to change – no, I would not be
friends with Abi!” chuckles Corrie star Sally Carman, when we quiz her on what kind of mate Abi would make in real life. “She’s someone I would have a quick hello with then walk away, going, ‘Ooof! Could you imagine?’ She’s not my cup of tea at all!”
We’re only a couple of minutes into our chat with Sally, and we can already tell that she has little in common with her brash alter ego. Sally is warm, intelligent and funny, and genuinely loves going to work every day – unlike Abi, who is often found skiving in the pub when she’s meant to be grafting!
That might not be an issue for too much longer, though, as Abi falls into bed with her boss Kevin this week!
But Sally reckons their romance might not be such a good idea…
Abi and Kevin are chalk and cheese – so what is it she likes about him?
He’s solid, he’s dependable, and he never lets her down. Abi’s sick of men who ‘get you up the duff and do one’, in her words! And Kev has really stepped up for her recently…
Abi needs an alibi this week after torching Ray’s car, and Kev provides it. How does that make her feel?
She can’t believe that he’d do that for her. She’s really fond of Kevin and before New Year she thought that could have meant a relationship, but then Ray happened. However, she’s reminded that Kev’s a real friend, and has done more for her than any man ever has. It starts to change her feelings towards him, and she sees him in a new light.
Sally’s not pleased about the two of them having a relationship, is she?
Sally starts off seemingly concerned, wanting to make sure that Abi’s going out with Kevin for the right reasons, and that she won’t hurt him. But it turns into, “Trouble follows you around!”, and Sally’s almost making out that
Abi’s not good enough for him. There are points when Abi feels judged and let down by Sally – maybe she hasn’t got her back in the way that she thought.
And then Ray announces that he has new evidence against Abi…
She’s very worried, because she knows she’s done it! As much as Abi suggests that Ray is bluffing, she’s panicking big time. Abi’s quite emotionally immature – she reacts as a child would. She had this big outburst, pinched his car and set it on fire, and only afterwards thought it wasn’t the best thing to do…
Do you think Abi and Kevin’s relationship could work?
“Abi’s quite emotionally immature – she reacts as a child would!”
No I don’t – that’s why it’s a brilliant story! They are so different, so there are excellent opportunities for drama. Abi’s motives for wanting to be with him are genuine, although I don’t think they’re planted in true love. She’s passionate and wild, and I’m not sure Kevin can handle her! So I think it’ll be a disaster, but that’s exactly what you want as an actress.
Do you think fans are rooting for them to get together?
It would seem that way, yeah. I’ve spoken to Mike [Le Vell, aka Kevin] and he’s said that whenever he’s in the pub, people come up to say, “Ooh, we really want them to get together!” There’s been a positive response, and that’s really sweet.
Do you think Abi’s ready to settle down?
I hope and I pray that she will always be a bit flighty! She has a strong personality, and she’s also had a lot of damage done to her, and I don’t think that goes away overnight. She’ll always be in for a bumpy ride, but
I’m really all right with that!
Although Abi could be headed for a romantic disaster, thankfully Sally’s real-life romance is a lot more settled. She moved in with her partner, Corrie co-star Joe Duttine (who plays Tim) late last year, and the couple are happier than ever together…
“People always recognise Joe, but have no idea it’s me!”
Do you and Joe ever practise your lines together at home? Do you play Sally and he plays Kevin?
Ha, ha, actually, yes! We don’t practice our lines together as such, but there are times I might be reading Sally, if we’re in the car and he can’t hold the script in his hand. On the whole we tend to do it our own way, but there have been moments when we’ve done that. It’s good fun!
Do the two of you get recognised a lot when you’re out and about together?
People always recognise Joe straight away – he has a big bald head, and there’s no getting round that! But I’m always an after-thought, if that. There have been times when people have even asked me to take photos of them with Joe, and they’ve had no idea that it’s me. It’s so funny,
I can just walk off and leave him there! But if people do ask for a photo with me, I’m more than happy. It’s an absolute pleasure.
What do the viewers make of Abi?
I don’t know, if I’m honest. I stupidly went on social media when I first joined the show. It always takes the audience a while to get used to new characters – they didn’t look favourably on a woman who was up to her eyeballs on drugs, and not looking after her children properly. Quite rightly! But I’m still here, so I’m hoping that opinion’s changed and people like Abi now.
We’re certainly enjoying her banter with Kev and Tyrone in the garage…
Oh yeah, that’s great. The garage is the best set in the show, because I get to work with Mike and Al [Alan Halsall, aka Tyrone]. It’s just brilliant. The guys are so quick and dry – you have no idea how funny they both are! I’m constantly laughing.
Aside from Mike and Alan, who else are you enjoying working with?
I love working with Sal [Dynevor, aka Sally] – she’s the kindest, loveliest woman I’ve ever met. Sue Clever [Eileen] is great to work with, too. Oh, and I love doing scenes with Peter Gunn [aka Brian], but I don’t think we’re allowed to work together any more!
Oh no, why’s that? We loved Brian tutoring Abi…
I have a feeling that story came to an end because it was a nightmare trying to do scenes with us both! Peter is the funniest human being I have ever met, and I’m a terrible giggler. I’m gutted we don’t work together much now, but it serves me right for having too much fun…