Natasha’s bombshell

Corrie’s Rachel Leskovac on her character’s return to the Street... with some life-changing news for Nick

She fled Weatherfield ten years ago after a stormy relationship with Nick, but this week Natasha is back in Coronation Street with the news that Nick is her son’s father.

Last week Nick spotted Natasha talking to a doctor about her nineyear-old boy, Sam, while he was at hospital supporting his girlfriend Leanne and her sick son, Oliver. With Nick’s interest piqued, he does some investigating and learns the bombshell news.

Actress Rachel Leskovac, who plays Natasha, says, ‘After Nick overheard a conversation Natasha had at hospital, he digs into her social media profiles, which leaves him believing Sam must be his. When Nick questions Natasha she has to come clean. He’s shocked but wants a relationship with Sam, while at the same time needing to be sensitive because of what Leanne’s going through.’

Hairdresser Natasha left Corrie after causing trouble for Nick and Leanne, but Rachel, who’s 44 and mum to a 13-year-old daughter, says that this time her character isn’t out to create problems for the pair.

‘Natasha’s son is at an age where he’s asking questions about who his dad is, so she’s trying to be transparent and hopefully they can forge a good relationship,’ says Rachel. ‘In no way is Natasha trying to get between Nick and Leanne, she was over that a long time ago, and I was pleasantly surprised to hear she’s not come in to steal anyone’s man. She’s just trying to do the right thing.’

Rachel says this is a new Natasha. ‘Before she had problems and people have said she must still be unhinged, and returning to cause havoc, but things change. Natasha’s now a confident, successful businesswoman who owns a couple of salons and has put everything into trying to be the best mum she can, as opposed to the vulnerable, emotionally immature girl we saw ten years ago.’

After leaving Corrie, Rachel found TV success on dramas Last Tango In Halifax and Happy Valley, and as a Hollyoaks regular, but never ruled out a return to the cobbles.

She hopes this time round Natasha will make a bigger mark. ‘Before it was a whirlwind and it took a while to bed in a proper story, so I’m glad I now have an anchor in Nick and their son. I’m interested to see how that’s going to develop, as there are many more layers to her character now. Natasha now feels very exciting to play.’

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