The Soap Years

There’s a shadow looming over Tim’s wedding on Corrie, in the shape of his father Geoff, says actor Joe Duttine

The storylines time will never forget

Tim tries to put his troubles behind him this week by tying the knot with longterm love Sally in Coronation Street. But there’s a big cloud over the occasion – Tim’s still reeling over the revelations about his dad and is desperate to keep him away.

‘Tim isn’t feeling as celebratory as he would have done,’ says actor Joe Duttine, who plays the cab driver. ‘But this is a big step for him and Sally to be able to move on after everything they’ve been through.

‘Because Tim was already married when they had their first wedding, he wants it to go without problems so they can finally be properly man and wife. There’s the spectre of Geoff wanting to be there, but he’s the last person anyone wants in attendance!’

But their secret plans for a ceremony in the bistro are scuppered when Geoff finds out, and they beg him to stay away. ‘Geoff hates Sally – the last thing Tim wants is his dad ruining something else,’ says Joe.

Who can blame him after Tim’s recent discovery that Geoff had lied to him about the identity of his mum. Elaine had fled the family home because of Geoff’s abuse, but Tim was told she’d died of breast cancer and his second wife Tess was Tim’s mum. Tim learned the truth when Elaine turned up having heard about Yasmeen, who Geoff abused but is in prison accused of stabbing him.

‘Tim’s been feeling angry, upset, let down, disappointed, betrayed and very confused,’ says Joe.

‘He feels his whole life was a lie. It was bad enough to find out what his dad did to Yasmeen but finding out his dad’s behaviour goes back to when he was a child makes him wonder where the lies started.’

Joe, who’s played Tim since January

2013, adds, ‘He feels guilt and responsibility because he chose not to believe Yasmeen. He was rude to the good people in his life who were trying to help him see the light, so he also feels he’s let people down and is starting to question his own judgement and have confidence issues.’

Joe, 50, suggests Tim will eventually try to forge a bond with his biological mum, Elaine. ‘His main concern before he even thinks about building a relationship is to make sure she’s safe and OK,’ he says. ‘He

doesn’t know her or what sort of person she is. He has sympathy for her because of what Geoff’s done. It’s going to be a journey for Tim.’

Joe met his fiancée Sally Carman, who plays Abi, while in Corrie and is thoroughly enjoying his role. ‘It’s a great job and I’m lucky Tim gets both comedic and dramatic storylines,’ he says. ‘Filming under social distancing restrictions has its challenges but everyone’s rising to it and we’re just fortunate to be working.’ ■