Will Sinead keep her baby?

Coronation Street’s Katie McGlynn on her character’s dilemma after a moment of passion leads to pregnancy

Coronation Street’s Sinead Tinker finds out she’s pregnant this week following her moment of passion in a stock cupboard with Daniel Osbourne. But Sinead’s shock is nothing compared to that felt by the actress who plays her, Katie McGlynn, when she found out about the storyline.

‘When our producer Kate Oates told me I was stunned,’ admits Katie. ‘Having a baby can be limiting for a character and Sinead may go from being tied down by her exboyfriend Chesney to being tied down with a baby. But it depends on what happens next.’

Sinead, who’s only just moved out of the home she and Chesney shared and in with her new lover, conceived the first time she and Ken Barlow’s nerdy son had sex. ‘She’s just left a long- term relationship for a new exciting one and bang, she’s pregnant,’ says Katie, who’s been on Corrie for four years. ‘She doesn’t know what to do. It’s terrifying, especially as she’s only been with Daniel for two minutes.’

The news will also rock Daniel, who lost his virginity in the racy scene at Underworld, where machinist Sinead works. When Daniel finds the positive pregnancy test this week, he’s furious she failed to tell

him. ‘They’re planning a romantic trip, where she was going to tell him, but before they go he confronts her,’ explains Katie. ‘He’s not had a relationship or sex before, so he’s never got a girl pregnant, and now he’s done all three! It takes the shine off their new relationship.’

It will also leave the pair weighing up what to do next. ‘They write a list of pros and cons for keeping the baby,’ says Katie. ‘I think Sinead wants it. I’ve never been in this situation but you’d think, “What if?” But will he feel the same? If Sinead goes through with it and they don’t stay together, she could end up as a single mum. It’s an important issue to explore. Young women go through it all the time, and some people are against abortion while others aren’t.’

Sinead looks to her aunt, Beth, for

guidance. ‘Beth thinks Sinead wants to keep the baby and tells her to go with her gut feeling. Beth will support her either way but she’d be over the moon if Sinead kept it,’ says Katie.

Katie, 23, who is single in real life, thinks fans will want the pair to give it a go, despite their differences. ‘ Daniel’s educated and Sinead’s practical but can be dim; she knows about making things, but not about poetry. Sinead’s intrigued by Daniel’s love of literature, while he sees her quirkiness. They’re like The Odd Couple, but I like that.’

However, Katie doesn’t think everyone will be so positive. ‘Chesney will be gutted, as I think he wanted kids with Sinead. And Ken doesn’t take Sinead seriously, so I don’t think he’ll be pleased. What a mess!’