Gina’s merry KISS-MAS!

Connie Hyde on why we shouldn’t judge her Corrie character harshly over her festive smooch with Tim

Coronation Street’s Sally Metcalfe needs all the support she can get, but just weeks after she was jailed for four years for a crime she didn’t commit her husband Tim plants a drunken kiss on her cunning sister Gina.

Tim’s surprise smooch, after a boozy Street Cars party, is the result of Gina having sneakily driven a wedge between him and Weatherfield’s disgraced mayor, Sally. But while Gina’s behaviour may seem calculated, the actress who plays her insists she isn’t a bad person.

‘She has bipolar disorder, which means she does irrational things and doesn’t think of the consequences,’ says Connie Hyde. ‘I think it’s important to bear that in mind.

‘Sometimes that can be wonderful because she can be spontaneous, but it can be dysfunctional in relationships. You might want to meet Gina for a drink, but you wouldn’t want a long-term relationship with her.’

Gina arrived in Weatherfield last year when her estranged sister Sally – then a councillor – discovered Gina was stalking her online. Not only did kind-hearted Sally forgive her but she invited Gina to live with her. But since then Gina has been getting a bit too close to Tim.

‘They very much get on as mates,’ says Connie, 49. ‘Gina’s different to Sally – she’ll drink beer and watch zombie movies with him.

‘Gina’s attracted to someone being nice to her. Also, Tim’s not complicated and she’s chaotic, so stability and friendship is important, and the fact he’s kind to her is unique compared to her usual relationships.’

Sally was arrested for fraud and held on remand in August and ever since, Gina has been fighting her feelings for Tim. At her trial, the real culprit, Sally’s colleague Duncan Radfield, claimed in court that he was in love with Sally. Later, Gina lied to Sally that Tim was furious and when Sally cancelled his prison visit, Tim was shocked and upset.

It sounds devious, but Connie disagrees. ‘It’s very painful for Gina. It’s not Machiavellian – it’s not planned. She’s not thinking, “Sally’s in prison so I’m going to take advantage.”’

This week, a drunk and emotional Tim says he misses Sally and thanks Gina for her support before pucker- ing up for a kiss. Does Connie fear a backlash from Sally and Tim fans? ‘Gina’s a sad character,’ she says, ‘so there’ll be sympathy for her too. But when I got the script I said, “Oh no!”’

Being handed a juicy festive storyline is a coup for Connie and she plans to watch the show with her family – she and her husband have two sons, aged 12 and 14. She says, ‘I always watch Coronation Street on Christmas Day, so it’s a big honour to be a part of it.’