Coronation Street actress Michelle Keegan tells TV Times magazine about relishing Tina’s surrogacy story... How do you feel about Tina’s pregnancy? “I’m really excited about it. When Natalie Gumede who plays Kirsty wore pregnancy padding, I used to stroke it every day and treated her like a real pregnant lady. I bet I will start eating more and getting out of my chair really slowly without bending my knees!” Do you worry about not looking your best on camera? “I don’t know why people keep voting for me as the sexiest female, because I don’t think I am sexy at all. I am the biggest tomboy in real-life. I don’t really wear make-up or do my hair.” Why do you think people have voted you Sexiest Female at the British Soap Awards four years in a row? “I think people vote for me because they can relate to Tina, especially girls. I don’t think it’s because she looks great. Tina doesn’t make a lot of effort with her appearance, which is brilliant for me. I go into make up, have a bit of base put on, some mascara and then I’m done. It’ll be no different with the baby bump. It is flattering that viewers think Tina is sexy and what I love is that people have actually taken the time to vote for me. I’m really grateful for that.” You seem to be getting increasingly strong and powerful storylines in Corrie... “I was a new actress when I joined. It was my first serious job and I am so grateful that they trust me with such important storylines. The surrogacy storyline is a big one and I am really excited about it. It’s something I can really get my teeth into.” For Tina, having a baby for Gary and Izzy must be daunting... “Tommy is thinking it through more than Tina. She hasn’t considered the emotional impact. She has just thought, 'We need money', and this opportunity came up, which will also help Izzy.” It’s such a big decision for her to make! “It’s enormous. I think she is a bit frustrated with Tommy. He is the one who got them into debt and she has to bail them out. You have to remember that because of what happened to her dad, Tina knows where debt can take someone and she is desperate to wipe the slate clean.” Tina’s so strong-minded! Does anything change her opinion? “When Tina makes her mind up about something, that’s it. She thinks she is doing this for the right reasons and nobody is going to stop her. I think her first visit to the clinic made her think a little more deeply about the consequences, but she is still determined to do this. I can’t wait to see what is going to happen, because I don’t know which way the story is going to go.” Do fans stop you and ask about Tina’s storylines? “Every time I go out, people say to me ‘Where’s Tommy?’ It’s the same for Chris [Fountain]. They’ve really taken to them as a couple. I think they work well together too. What’s nice is the fact that they are best mates as well as boyfriend and girlfriend.” What are we going to see happen to their relationship during this surrogacy story? “I think the surrogacy could pull them apart, but I would like to see them stay together. They are such a good match.” You’ve been in Coronation Street for four years now... “I still love it as much as I did when I first started. It is like home here. I feel so comfortable and I know it sounds like a cliche, but everyone at Corrie gets on. It is like working with your friends. I am such a lucky person.”
