FAYE’S BABY BOMBSHELL

What will happen when Faye finally reveals her secrets this week on Corrie? We ask actress Ellie Leach

Coronation Street’s Faye confesses all her troubles to her dad Tim this week – and admits she may be carrying Ray’s baby. The traumatised teenager reveals how Ray forced her to sleep with him before his sexual assault; and owns up to her botched revenge attack, which left Adam in hospital with head injuries and her brother Gary in jail, wrongly accused of the crime.

‘Faye feels scared, guilty and disgusted with herself,’ says Ellie Leach, who plays her. ‘Scared because she’s never been in a situation where she’s done something so bad it could cost her her liberty; guilty that she’s potentially caused Adam a lifelong injury and Gary’s in prison for something she did; and disgusted she slept with Ray and may be pregnant by him.

‘She knows that revealing what happened could put her in a vulnerable position, but she’s stressed out and can’t keep a lid on it. When her dad demands to know what’s been going on, she decides to tell him the truth.’

Faye’s in a bad way as the week begins and she tells Maria that the guilt about what she’s done is making her ill. Tim suspects something’s up, especially when he’s questioned by police, who reveal the weapon used in the attack on Adam was in the rucksack found in Gary’s possession.

He grills Faye about it, and she denies all knowledge, but she later reveals her pregnancy news to Maria. Tim won’t give up, though, and when he spots Faye’s pregnancy test she realises the game is up and plucks up the courage to confess. That’s the cue for a raging Tim to go on a hunt to find Ray…

‘Tim is angry at Ray but also feels guilty that he’s been unaware of how much Faye is going through and feels like he hasn’t been a good dad,’ says Ellie. Later, Tim visits Gary in prison to tell him he knows what’s really gone on and that they need to go to the police, but Gary insists they keep quiet for Faye’s sake. So what will Tim do? ‘I’m just hoping Ray’s going to get his comeuppance!’ adds Ellie.

The 19-year-old, from Manchester, has been in Corrie for a decade – not bad going for someone who began acting classes as a shy fouryear-old because her mum wanted to build her confidence. Recalling getting the job in 2011, Ellie says, ‘Being so young I didn’t realise what a big deal it was. Now, I get starstruck around all the legends I work with. You’d think I’d be used to it, but I don’t think I ever will be!’

Ellie has established herself with storylines including bullying, getting pregnant aged 12 and giving up her daughter – as well as a relationship with Seb. ‘I feel so lucky to be playing this character and to be a part of this and the other storylines I’ve had.’ ■