Soaps Julie Lordan catches up with Corrie’s Kerri Quinn
Kerri Quinn, who plays Vicky Jeffries in Coronation Street, talks about her surprising and dramatic storyline
Tyler Jefferies was one of the most unlikeable characters in recent Coronation Street history. The teenager was a bully who picked on many of his classmates and when Amy Barlow became pregnant with his baby, Tyler behaved even more badly. So who brought up this golden boy? That would be his mother, Vicky Jeffries, played by Belfast actress Kerri Quinn. Vicky is an interesting character, loyal to her wayward son but not blind to his faults, tough as nails, but as so often happens with a soap biography, she has had a hard life. Now Vicky is in love with Robert Preston, who owns his own business, is kind and attractive, and seemingly everything Vicky is looking for. To complicate matters, though, she is pregnant with his baby and he has just got back with his love, Michelle Connor. Kerri updates us on what is happening.
Everyone in the Street now knows about Vicky and Robert’s affair, but how did you feel when you were told you were coming back for this storyline?
I was beyond excited. I’d seen Michelle and Robert on screen and thought they were a great couple, so when I was told I was going to be paired up with Robert, who is probably the hottest man on TV, I was alright with that! To be asked back was exciting in itself but to be asked back to be part of this storyline? I was delighted!
Was it hard to keep your comeback a secret?
It has been at home, because a lot of people were aware I’m back filming but not what for, so I’ve had to mind what I say. So many people are Corrie fans that they’re desperate to know what my storyline is going to be and they’ve been trying to piece it together. We’ve seen Robert disappearing and Vicky being attacked and ringing someone, so the clues were there.
What is it about Robert that has drawn Vicky to him?
Well, he’s an attractive man, he has been amazing with Tyler, the only person in a long time who has given him the support
and encouragement to turn his life around and that’s drawn her to him. She’s aware of his paternal instincts, she knows he wants a child, but it’s also about stability and what’s lovely about this storyline is you see a beautiful vulnerability about Vicky that Robert brings out in her. It’s almost like she wants to be a better person for him.
Were there hints along the way about their relationship?
Yes, and they aren’t two people that you would put together. What we never saw was how they got together! He’d just split with Michelle; he was lonely and I imagine getting attention from someone like Vicky probably massaged his ego a bit.
Do you think they have a future?
It’s hard to say at this point because they’re not together as in a relationship, it was a fling. However, Vicky sees a future for them together; she’s got her claws into a good man and she doesn’t want to let him go. They’re having a baby together so they will grow closer but we’ll have to see how it pans out.
How aware is Vicky of the lies Robert is telling and the double life he has going on with Michelle?
She has her suspicions because he is always making excuses and disappearing but I don’t think she would suspect him of living this double life. If she knew that he was back with Michelle and lying to her, she’d be devastated because I think she genuinely has fallen in love. She’s maybe more worried about his feelings for Michelle and she definitely sees Michelle as a threat.
How would she feel if she found out he is secretly planning a wedding with Michelle?
I think it would absolutely break Vicky because Robert has been so good to her and Tyler that she wouldn’t think he’s capable of betraying her. She’d be heartbroken but also furious, just a smidge!
Does she see them living happily ever after as a family?
100% that’s what she wants! Vicky is lonely and there’s a vulnerability about her: she’s damaged, she’s had a really hard life, then this great man has come along and she doesn’t want to let him go. She loves him, so in her mind it’s a fairytale.
Are you enjoying being back in the show with what could be such an explosive storyline?
I’ve never worked with a nicer bunch of people; I’ve been welcomed with open arms so if you combine working in an environment like this with amazing people and a fantastic storyline, then it’s the dream job. It’s amazing to be here.
Well, he’s an attractive man, he has been amazing with Tyler, the only person in a long time who has given him the support and encouragement to turn his life around and that’s drawn her to him