The most wonderful time of the year?
Stars tina o’brien and lucy Fallon reveal their plans for the holidays on and off-screen…
Weatherfield is never quiet for long at Christmas, and this year there could be trouble on the menu in Coronation Street as the Platts surprise Bethany by rocking up for Christmas dinner at the Bistro. Stars Tina o’brien (Sarah) and lucy Fallon (Bethany) join us for a chat.
Coronation Street MON, WED, FRI / ITV / TIMES VARY
The Platts don’t often have a merry Christmas, and when the four generations get together for a festive lunch in the Bistro this year, it looks like trouble is on the menu...
Lothario Lewis is acting shiftily – and Nick can’t help wondering if his beloved gran is being taken for a ride once again. Could poor Aud be heading for heartache?
After our exclusive cover shoot, Corrie stars Tina O’brien and Lucy Fallon – who play Sarah and Bethany – tells us more…
What is Christmas like for
Sarah and Bethany this year? Lucy: This one’s quite good for Bethany; she’s working at the Bistro on Christmas Day, but all the Platts are there and they’re exchanging gifts.
Tina: Christmas Day is a bit of a sore point for Sarah, because Gary decides to spend Christmas with Nicola and their son, Zack. She’s pretty miffed, especially as she finds out that he’s spent more money on presents for Zack and his other son, Jake, than he’s spent on Sarah’s son, Harry.
What can we expect when the Platts have their Christmas dinner?
Lucy: There’s a lot of bickering, but Audrey has come into some money and she has an envelope for everybody, and says they won’t get it if they don’t behave. She’s promised them big things. They all think they’re getting twenty grand.
Tina: She does something really lovely, but it’s not what the Platts have been expecting…
Nick notices Lewis being shifty, and starts to investigate. How would Sarah and Bethany feel if it turned out that this leopard hadn’t changed his spots?
Lucy: Bethany’s trust in men is quite low after what she’s been through. I think she would be quite angry and she could potentially want revenge. Tina: Sarah’s had it in the ear about Lewis from Gail, but her gran is happy, so she’s given him the benefit of the doubt. She’d be very upset if she discovered he hadn’t changed, but the Platts are very loyal and always pull together in a crisis.
Is there a special atmosphere on set when you film Corrie’s Christmas episodes?
Lucy: We don’t normally get many scenes where there’s all of us together, so the big difference is that we get a proper family scene where everyone is there, from the kids to the dog, and that’s really nice.
Tina: You’re all dressed up in your Christmas clothes, and it gets you excited about Christmas coming. Sarah’s usually had one too many to drink, so that’s always fun!
What Christmas presents would you buy for your characters? Lucy: I think Bethany needs some new clothes; her fashion sense has gone a bit dodgy in the past few months, and she’s not on trend any more. Or she could do with a nail course. She took Kylie’s place at the salon and she needs a qualification. Tina: I think Sarah needs a house! She’s sleeping on an inflatable mattress at the minute, so she could do with her own space.
How will you be spending Christmas Day away from Weatherfield?
Lucy: We’re going out this year – there’s 22 of us. It’s a little bistro-type restaurant, but it’s small, so hopefully there’ll only be us in there. It’s not the same as staying in, but hopefully we’ll make it just as good. Tina: My daughter Scarlett’s dad [Ryan Thomas, who played Jason Grimshaw] is doing panto, so I’m spending Christmas morning with her and then she’s going to him. Me and my partner, Adam, our son Beau and my parents are then going to a pub near us for Christmas dinner.
What’s on your Christmas list? Lucy: I really want a doormat! I’ve seen one with a sausage dog on it. It’s £30, which I think is quite expensive, but that’s what
I’ve asked for.
Tina: I’d like a really nice going-out dress. I’ve got a couple of dos coming up and I’ve got nothing to wear.
Are you going to make any
New Year’s resolutions?
Lucy: I never make them because I never stick to them. Maybe my resolution should be to make some resolutions!
Tina: I want to lose a bit of weight. The problem is, I’ve got no willpower. If I’m offered wine, pudding, cheese and biscuits, I’ll just say yes to it all. I need to say no!
As 2019 will soon be upon us, what would you like to happen to your characters next year? Lucy: Something awful! It’s a bad thing to say, I know, but something dark and terrible to get my teeth into.
Tina: I’d like Sarah to do something naughty. If I were one of the writers, I’d take her out of her comfort zone. She’s happy and settled, and I think she needs to be thrown a curveball…
This one’s quite good for Bethany
Lucy FALLON
Christmas Day is a bit of a sore point for Sarah…
Tina O’brien