‘Kylie’s death in Corrie is shocking’
Paula Lane, 30, leaves Coronation Street this week after playing troubled Kylie Platt for six years– with shocking final scenes bringing an end to the ‘dead Callum’ saga
So, Kylie dies – it can’t be true! Exactly how Kylie dies is being kept top secret. But it’s one of the most shocking deaths in the history of Coronation Street without a doubt, and very different to anything that’s ever been done on the soap before. What happens in the run-up to it? Gail decides she doesn’t want to live in the annexe of their house any more because Callum’s body was found there, so it falls on Kylie and David to take that room. Kylie doesn’t think it feels right, so she has this great idea: ship her, David and the kids off to Barbados to start a new life together. Her death literally comes out of nowhere; it’s a case of: “Oh! That’s what a sudden death is!” It was your choice to leave the Street, but were you upset to be bumped off? Of course it would have been nice to have had the door left open, but I hope I can go on to do other things. This is a great springboard and I’m so grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given. My mum’s devastated, but I’m more than happy with my exit – it’s very fitting for my character. You’re already a mum to Arthur (18 months) and you’re expecting a baby girl in the next few days – congratulations! Everything is still in baby mode so we’ve hardly had to do anything, but I’ve got to admit that Arthur’s wardrobe is shrinking by the day and a line of pink clothes is taking over instead! They’ll only be 19 months apart and it works for us to have them close together. I feel very blessed. How much maternity leave will you take? It would be nice to have six months off and then have an amazing job come up, but I’m a big believer in fate and I think things will happen if they’re meant to be. I’m also mindful not to jump at the first thing I’m offered – it’s got to be a role that’s very different to Kylie, and something that stretches me at the same time. Were you teary filming your last day on the cobbles? Oh my God, yes – I can’t even go there to be honest. The day was a whole host of emotions. I’ve got so many friends there, and I love Jack [P. Shepherd, who plays David Platt] to bits, so it was gut-wrenching to say goodbye. It’s safe to say the performances are real. How did it feel to play dead? It was a bit weird. I was just hoping my eyes didn’t start to flicker… Will you carry on watching Corrie after you leave? If I’m not up to my eyeballs in nappies! I’d love to keep watching the show as it’s been part of my life for six years, although I’ll be jealous when David gets a new missus! How do you pamper yourself on a day off? It’s been so long since I’ve had a day off that I’ve forgotten what it’s like! I’m a bit of an old soul – I like spending time in my garden, and I might treat myself to a nice coffee. Also, me and my husband Tom [Shaw, also an actor] run our own drama school called The Lane Shaw Academy, near where we live in Yorkshire, so that’s another set of balls we’re juggling!