“Thank you for believing in Shona!”
All our winners are thrilled to bits when they arrive to collect their Inside Soap trophies, but star Julia is so giddy to have been crowned your Best Newcomer, you’d think she’d just won the lottery!
“I can’t stop smiling!” beams the actress, who has been playing Weatherfield’s
Shona since December last year. “I’ve been a massive fan of Coronation Street my whole life, so to get a job on the show and then be named Inside Soap’s Best Newcomer…
I’m just pinching myself!”
After hitting it off with David, plucky Shona was revealed to be the mother of killer Clayton Hibbs – who murdered David’s wife, Kylie. So Julia tells us that she’s even more amazed that you have taken her character into your hearts.
“I really want to thank your readers for believing in her, especially seeing as she followed such a huge character as Kylie,” shares the star. “There were some big shoes to fill for David’s next partner, so I’m grateful that people have given Shona a chance.
“The moment when David found out that she was Clayton’s mum was probably one of my favourite moments,” adds Julia. “Jack P Shepherd [David] and I really connected that day, and honestly, he is such a laugh to work with. I love filming our scenes – but don’t tell him that!”
Shona and David seem to be heading for domestic bliss – but what if a miscarriage of justice should result in killer Clayton’s release from prison one day?
“People have been wondering that since Shona went to live with the Platts, and have been asking me whether Clayton will be round for a sleepover,” reveals Julia. “It really got me thinking because Shona is his mother and she loves him at the end of the day, so it’s a massive catch-22 situation for her. Watch out, David!”