Disaster at the dining table for Tim

Coronation Street ITV, Christmas Day, 8.15pm

Things are rather fraught in Weatherfield on Christmas Day, with Tim and Gina’s relationship resulting in a dinner disaster.

She admits she’s in love with him but he throws her out and calls Sally to tell her he’s going to do everything to get her out of jail.

And while it’s soap-world extreme, Joe Duttine, who plays Tim, says festive tensions can often run high.

“It’s a typical dinner in most households, it’s always a bit strained isn’t it?” laughs Tim.

“You have all the relatives there, many who you only see at Christmas. I personally never find them to have that much of a relaxed atmosphere, unless I’m alone with the kids.”

The supposed dalliance with Gina has been gripping viewers and Tim says he’s not short of feedback as to what fans think and whether he should still be with Sally or not.

“When I go down to the builder’s yard in Sheffield, some of the guys are like, ‘Have you not dumped her yet?’” says Joe.

“I have just renovated my house so was always at the builder’s yard – they’re always telling me to dump Sally.”

But, having worked on how the characters get on together, Joe was keen to make sure things were done for the right reasons.

“As actors, you put a lot of time into your character and your relationship and eventually, over time, you sort of nick them off the writers.

“So you do feel quite protective over them because you do get positive feedback and with Tim and Sally they’re a likeable couple and it would be a shame to go down that route.”