The soap star talks about being Bethany Platt's unlikely saviour during Coronation Street's recent child grooming storyline and the on-set banter in the ITV soap...

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes – and it’s Craig Tinker who has become Bethany Platt’s in Coronation Street. The Special Constable recently diced with danger and risked his career to get his Sergeant and mentor, Neil Clifton, to confess to having sex with the vulnerable schoolgirl, who was groomed by 'boyfriend' Nathan Curtis.

As Craig is set to be questioned by his superiors over the dubious way he obtained evidence, we caught up with Colson Smith, 19, who plays the new recruit…

 Are you surprised that out of all the characters in Coronation Street, it is Craig who has turned out to be Bethany’s savour? "Yes; you don’t automatically think of Craig as the hero, but I guess he was in the right place at the right time. Bethany needed somebody to listen to her and he’s the sort of person who will sit back and listen, and not judge. It’s Craig’s personality that has meant he has become the hero."

Craig was a dopey kid when he first came to the cobbles and didn’t speak very much. Are you surprised by the man he has become? "Yes, and it has been really good to play the twists and turns of Craig’s life. He’s been through a lot – when Faye had her baby we saw a different personality, and when his dad came into the show, we saw a bit of an angry and passionate side to Craig. With the Bethany story, this is probably the first time he’s really had to step out of his comfort zone."

Craig has to face his superiors at the police station this week, over the way he got a confession out of Neil. How would he feel if he was given his marching orders? "Being in the police force is the first time where he’s felt accepted and belonged. He is upset at the thought of losing his job, but he understands that if that happened, it’s because of what he did for Bethany. So for him, that’s OK."

You joined Corrie in 2011. What has it been like for you, growing up on a soap? "I was 12 when I joined, and I suppose that being with adults and having friends that were a lot older than me means that I’ve grown up quickly and I’ve got quite an old head on my shoulders. I always tell my friends at home that my banter’s far better than theirs because I’ve had more experience. I got fed to the lions the minute I turned 16 and went into the adult green room!"

Tell us more! "Alan Halsall (who plays Tyrone) is the King of Banter! But what happens in the green room stays in the green room. Let’s just say I learnt quite early on not to leave my mobile phone unaccompanied!"

When you look back at your childhood, does it surprise you that you have become an actor? "My dad said to me that when you’re a parent and your child is first born, you hold them in your arms and you think: 'This kid is going to be a…' and he’d have never said 'actor' in a million years.

"I don’t really know where it came from. I was born in Devon in the most rural of rural places, and when I moved to Yorkshire and became a townie, I did loads of stuff after school. I played football, cricket, and I went to a drama class – and the thing that stuck was drama. I kind of got lucky with it; it was a hobby that turned serious."

Speaking of children, would you like Craig to settle down and have a family one day? "I imagine Craig being the sort of guy to want that life. He’s not had the best of backgrounds, and there’s not much stability in the Tinker family. So I think Craig just wants stability and normality.'

 Craig has fallen for Bethany – would you like them to become an item? "It’d be interesting to see. Obviously, she has been through a lot, and I believe Craig will be there as a friend; get her back onto the track of enjoying her life and being a teenager. If romance happens, it happens. But it’d be nice to have more scenes with Lucy Fallon."

It has been an important yet harrowing storyline that has kept viewers on the edge of their seats. Finally, it looks as though Bethany will get the justice she deserves...

This week in Coronation Street, it seems Bethany Platt will get a few steps closer to putting her abusers where they belong – behind bars!

Even if you haven't been watching, you will undoubtedly be aware of the horrific storyline centred around child grooming and rape.

Bethany finally finds the courage to report Neil to the police thanks to the encouragement and support of her friend Craig.

She had previously opened up to Craig about the ordeal, but forced him to keep the information to himself. This was incredibly difficult for Craig as Neil was his mentor in the force!

Craig tries his best to stick to his word and help Bethany, but in doing so he puts his own career and life in serious danger.

Initially Craig feels as though his only option is to give up his dream of becoming a police officer. He couldn't face watching Neil get away with his horrific crimes. However, when Bethany convinces Craig to stay in the force, he takes a huge risk...

Craig requests a new mentor. Unsettled by Craig's demands, Neil lashes out and bundles Craig into his car. Little does he know that Craig is secretly recording their chat...

Confident with what he captures in the recording, Craig goes to Bethany and insists that she reports Neil as one of her rapists. With Craig by her side, she finds the courage to make the call and when DC Leigh visits her at No. 8, Bethany explains how Nathan cajoled her into having sex with Neil.

DC Leigh reassures Bethany that Neil will feel the full force of the law and it seems Craig's recording will be a vital piece of evidence.

In the words of Ben Cartwright, who plays Neil, when he is called in for a meeting with the Chief Inspector he knows 'it's game over'.

But is it really the end of the line for Neil or will he be able to squirm his way out of trouble?

Coronation Street, ITV

Eva intervenes when Adam threatens to reveal Aidan's affair next week! Why?

When Eva secretly found out about Aidan and Maria's affair, she vowed vengeance on him and decided to stay silent about his cheating ways in Coronation Street. Since then, she's convinced Aidan that she's pregnant, after a first at-home test proved positive while the second was negative.

So Aidan is going nowhere, thinking he has a baby on the way, while fuming Eva quietly plots to bleed him and his business dry... But what will happen when blackmailing Adam barges in, knowing full well what Aidan's been up to with Maria? Will Eva's plan be finished before it's even started?

Elsewhere, lovebirds Brian and Cathy take their relationship a stage further, Phelan is mad at Seb, David and Shona join forces to help Bethany's plight and Craig makes a decision...

When Adam rolls up demanding money over the photo evidence he has of Aidan's affair with Maria, is the cheating cad about to admit all?

When Adam rolls up demanding money over the photo evidence he has of Aidan's affair with Maria, is the cheating cad about to admit all?

When blackmailing Adam has no luck in getting Aidan to part with his cash, he demands the love rat tells Eva EXACTLY what's been going on!

Eva's plan of revenge will be ruined if Adam spills the beans on Aidan's affair, so she manages to to get him to stay quiet, telling him she needs to put her 'pregnancy' first...

Eva's next stage of her plan to ruin Aidan, is to get behind a desk at Underworld. But how will the others take it when Aidan announces the arrival of new employee Eva?

At the Rovers, Toyah confides in Leanne that she might be pregnant at last and later hugs and congratulates a guilt-ridden Eva…

Loved-up Brian tells an admiring Cathy about his additional duties as litter enforcement officer, hence the helping hand of a large megaphone…

But with intimidating Phelan being his first offender after discarding a sweet wrapper on the cobbles, will Brian regret his extra responsibilities?!

Clearly in a foul mood, Phelan takes it out on employee Seb and fires him! But what has the lad done?

Meanwhile, Nicola calls round to Eileen's to ask if Phelan will do a DNA test to find out once and for all if he's her real father... or not!

As Pat willingly agrees to the DNA test, he hands the swab to Nicola. She promises that she'll be in touch with the results...

David and Shona team up to try to convince another of Nathan's victims, Lara, to grass him up to the police so he'll finally get his comeuppance. Will she agree?

Back at No.8, Craig encourages Bethany to tell all to the police about Neil and his involvement with nasty Nathan. But will Craig feel the wrath of the dodgy copper?

Craig tells Neil that he's going to stay in the force but wants a new mentor. How will the sinister officer react and will he get his just deserts? Watch Coronation Street on ITV from Monday, July 17

Coronation Street actress Lucy Fallon has revealed her character Bethany's grooming ordeal has been so emotionally draining she has been moved to tears while filming.

Coronation Street actress Lucy Fallon has revealed her character Bethany's grooming ordeal has been so emotionally draining she has been moved to tears while filming.

Speaking to The Sun's Fabulous magazine, Lucy said: "There have been scenes where I have genuinely cried because they've been so hard to do.

"Obviously the rape scene with Neil was the hardest and the one with all of the men in the flat because imagining that actually happening to someone is just horrible."

In recent months, viewers have watched on in horror as Bethany has experienced the shocking abuse at the hands of her older boyfriend Nathan Curtis (Chris Harper).

One devastating scene alluded to the fact the schoolgirl was gang-raped by some of Nathan's pals, including a police officer.

The scenes have led to some viewers reporting the soap to Ofcom after an omnibus was shown at 8:50pm - before the 9pm watershed.

But despite the criticism the show has received, Lucy, 21, said she has also been met with a positive response.

Strangers have been reaching out to Lucy and confiding in her with their 'darkest secrets' as a source of support and thanking her for her honest portrayal of Bethany, she revealed in the Fabulous magazine interview.

Last month Lucy revealed how one fan's reaction left her in tears after a woman approached Lucy in the street and told her she had been sexually abused when she was younger.

Lucy said: "“I went to Manchester to put some flowers down at St Ann’s Square (following the Manchester Arena bombing) and a lady of about 60 came and tapped me on the shoulder and said ‘Can I just whisper something to you?'

“I thought she was just going to say that she really likes Corrie, but she said ‘I was sexually abused by my dad when I was younger’… she got really upset and said she really appreciated what I had done.

“It makes me feel really proud when people say stuff like that.”

This week in Corrie, Shona turns up unexpectedly and Craig learns the truth about Neil from Bethany – can they form a three-prong attack against the pervy cop?

Craig Tinker learns the truth about Neil's vile behaviour in Coronation Street next week, but he's conflicted when Bethany begs him to keep silent. Meanwhile, Sarah is on the hunt for more of Nathan's victims and she believes Shona holds the key...

Kevin's tempted to cheat on Anna when Erica says she's booked them a hotel room. She waits for him to join her while she sips Champagne. Will he show? Later, Anna's suspicions are aroused...

The Platts mark Kylie's death with an anniversary picnic in the garden, but there's an upset when David spots Shona going into No.11.

Hoping to find some of Nathan’s other victims, Sarah calls at the drop-in centre where Yasmeen and Rana are volunteering. As she makes to leave, they’re distracted by two girls arguing. It's Shona Ramsey, no less!

Shona is having a spat with a girl outside the drop-in centre.

Shona is having a spat with a girl outside the drop-in centre.

... who hits out at Shona and runs off.

Sarah's desperate to talk to Shona. Can she help her?

Meanwhile, Erica tempts Kevin with a secret tryst and hands him the address of the hotel.

In the garage, Kevin spills out his relationship woes to Rosie...

Rosie's shocked when Kevin pours his heart out.

Later, Neil is at the house at Sarah's invitaton. The pervy cop has kindly agreed to have a chat with Bethany, who does her best to mask her fear.

Craig calls in on Bethany, who eventually breaks down and tells him everything about Nathan and Neil and the sex parties...

Craig quits his job then asks Neil some awkward questions about Bethany.

Toyah and Peter watch as Liz finally signs over her half of the pub.

At the new job, Liz is left in charge of reception when boss Moira pops out. Will she cope?

Mary asks Norris about a mystery letter addressed to Mr and Mrs Cole. Does he know what it's about?

Gary's mate Joe tells him he’s running his own private security firm in the Ukraine, the money is fantastic and he should consider coming to work for him.

The Platts mark the anniversary of Kylie’s death with a picnic in the garden.

The dog escapes, but David manages to catch him.

David’s horrified to see Billy taking Shona into No.11. David has a go at Billy ordering him to keep her well away from him.

When Aidan reveals he’s buying the flat above the kebab shop, Eva goes ballistic, pointing out she wanted a house with a garden in Didsbury.Watch all the drama on Corrie on ITV from Monday, July 10

With her rapist Neil still threatening her, terrified Bethany confides in Craig, reveals Coronation Street star Lucy Fallon

It’s a severe body blow for Bethany Platt when the court case against her abuser Nathan is dropped due to lack of evidence. Then her mum, Sarah, thinks it will help if she asks police officer Neil to call in to help cheer Bethany up!

“Bethany’s horrified and doesn’t know what to do when faced with Neil,” Lucy Fallon revealed to Soaplife. “Not only did Neil rape her, but also threatened to hurt her family if she told anyone. Neil talks to Bethany alone, and threatens her again. She’s terrified, disgusted and really shaken by the time he leaves.”

But trainee police officer Craig is suspicious of Neil and he quizzes Bethany, doesn’t he? “Craig [Colson Smith] can see how Bethany changes when Neil [Ben Cartwright] is around. I think he can sense her fear and discomfort – he knows something isn’t right. He tries to bring it up with Bethany, but at first she doesn’t want to go there and tries to cut him off. She does feel safe around Craig, though…”

And she does eventually tell Craig everything, doesn’t she? “Yes. Craig won’t let it drop and Bethany’s just exhausted from keeping it to herself. She feels she can trust Craig and she tells him that Neil is Nathan’s [Chris Harper] mate who was at the parties. Craig’s horrified as Bethany breaks down.”

How does she react when Craig threatens to report Neil? “She’s terrified and she says he can’t tell – she’s convinced people won’t believe her but, more than that, she’s scared of what he could do to her and her family. Neil’s threats are ringing in her ears and she’s desperate to stop Craig from saying anything. But whether he keeps quiet remains to be seen.”

Is Bethany’s ordeal nearly over? “The ordeal is far from over. The effects of what Nathan has done to her will be seen for a long time yet. At the moment Bethany is still Nathan’s victim – her self-esteem is so low plus she’s struggling with guilt and blaming herself. She’s got a lot to go though before she can see herself as a survivor…”

Coronation Street, ITV

Coronation Street actor Chris Harper has said the abuse storyline "isn't going to go away", as victim Bethany Platt will have live with the ramifications of the abuse.

Coronation Street actor Chris Harper says he is glad that his role as sex abuser Nathan Curtis has “made an impact”.

Viewers have been gripped by the grooming storyline which saw Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) abused by her boyfriend Nathan and his friends in the ITV soap.

Harper told the Press Association: “It’s clearly made an impact. It’s been wonderful how many people have come up and talked to me… People who’ve had abuse in their life or their families’ lives.

“The role has opened my eyes to how much of it exists and how much great work there is to try to combat it."

He said his character Nathan had “to reach a sticky end”.

“He’s going to have to go down. It’s not been written yet but we’re doing it with full responsibility and awareness,” the actor said of the storyline.

Harper was speaking after visiting Heathfield Nursery and Infant School, in Twickenham, to see the NSPCC’s Speak Out Stay Safe service in action.

It aims to educate children, through interactive assemblies, about the different forms of abuse and where to get help.

“It’s one of the reasons I’ve embraced the role,” the soap star said.

“I think what the NSPCC are doing to create an entire generation of kids, hopefully, who are able to spot key signals and stay safe and keep their friends safe, is really important. The whole crime revolves around secrecy and shame and keeping things under wraps.”

On-screen, he said that the “next turn of the story” would focus on Bethany.

“It’s so hard to discover, for Bethany, that someone she thinks she loves is being cruel. That’s going to be the next turn of the story, following Bethany’s strength and courage in discovering and then facing what’s happened to her.

“We’ll see him go to trial, that’s a really important thing to see.”

The actor, patron of Voicing CSA, a charity that helps abuse victims, said that the “storyline isn’t going to go away” because “Bethany’s life has been changed by what happened to her. The ramifications of abuse are life-lasting”.

He added: “The writers at Corrie… really care about Bethany and it isn’t an issue they’re just going to drop.”

Troubled teen Bethany wants out of the Platts and the Street, but will she leave with nasty Nathan? Or will she have a change of heart?

It's hard to keep up with all the goings-on in the Street right now, what with Bethany being encouraged by Nathan to start a new life far away together and Billy and Todd about to get a new lodger in young Summer.

Meanwhile, Anna and Kevin have been having relationship woes. Kevin would like more passion, but will he look elsewhere for it? While teen love isn't running smoothly with Faye and Seb, especially when Anna finds!

And when Roy walks in on Brian and Cathy, will he finally twig that his best pal is dating his ex-fiancée?!

Bethany is all set to run away with abuser Nathan, but will worried Mary make her see sense and stop her from leaving?

Bethany is all set to run away with abuser Nathan, but will worried Mary make her see sense and stop her from leaving?

Anna makes a scene in the street when she spies Faye and Seb stealing a kiss, but will Faye listen to her when she's told to stay well away?!

As Billy and Todd meet with young Summer for lunch, will Todd warm to the youngster?

There's sad news about Summer's dad, Drew, when her gran turns up to tell her…

....that her dad Drew has died. What does the future hold now for the bereaved schoolgirl?

Geraldine coldly tells Billy and Todd to stay away from Summer… for good! Have the devastated couple lost out on a future with the youngster, which is what her dad wanted?

Tyrone gets jealous when Fiz chats to antiques specialist Kim and he suggests she looks at doing an antiques course herself…

When Anna discovers Faye is still seeing Seb, she rants about the situation with Kevin and Tim... Kevin doesn't help matters, but Tim has other ideas!

When fuming Tim decides to haul a frightened Seb into the cab office, what will he say to the youngster?

Kevin is in the dog house after upsetting Anna and Erica's moaning about Dev forgetting her birthday...

As the pair cosy up, dejected Erica leans in for a kiss! Will Kevin respond?

When Brian hears that Roy is going out for the evening, he decides to spend time together with Cathy in the flat...

WK25-Coronation-Street-The-Week-In-Pictures13

So when Roy goes straight home, Brian tries to throw him off the scent and hides Cathy in the bathroom! What will Roy say when he discovers the truth? Watch Coronation Street on ITV from Monday, June 19

Coronation Street's Lucy Fallon has revealed a dark twist in her character Bethany Platt's storyline. Speaking on This Morning, Lucy revealed Nathan is secretly planning to sell Bethany for sex abroad.

Corrie star Lucy Fallon has revealed her character Bethany Platt is planning to lie to her family and run away with Nathan - who will then try to sell her for sex abroad.

Lucy has been at the centre of the soap’s shocking grooming storyline and she has revealed another big twist is on the way.

Lucy appeared on This Morning today to talk about playing Bethany, and she revealed the teen is considering a shock move in a bid to keep Nathan happy.

Nathan has asked her to get a passport so she can run away with him, and he is secretly planning to sell her for sex abroad.

Bethany has no idea about his plan, and has decided to lie to her family and tell them she has split from her fiance so she can focus on getting away.

Lucy said: "She will tell them they have split. She will lie to her family. [Nathan] wants her to get a passport so he can take her away. For her it is really quite exciting, but really he wants to sell her in another country.

"She doesn't want to be treated like a child. She doesn't want to be with her family at all."

The twist comes after viewers hoped the sick abuse would come to an end when Nathan was arrested in Friday night's episode.

Sarah’s brother David informed her that Nathan is an abuser, and the terrified mum rushed off to rescue Bethany from a horrific gang rape.

Portrayed by Chris Harper, Nathan was dragged away by three policemen as Bethany looked on in distress.

Lucy has previously warned that Bethany's storyline is about to get a lot darker. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News in May, she said: “The storyline has to end at some point, it can’t go on forever, but I can say it goes darker before it gets better, and it goes darker and stays darker.

“When the storyline first started, some people were saying ‘it shouldn’t be on at this time, it’s a family show’, but we responded that if this was happening to your niece or nephew or son or daughter you wouldn’t feel that way, you would want there to be awareness."

As she lies in hospital, the guilt-ridden mum comes closer to admitting her son is Kylie's murderer

Knowing her son, Clayton, killed Kylie, Shona has done her best to offer support to David but now finds herself falling for him. It would hardly seem a match made in heaven, even though David is still oblivious to her terrible secret. But for how long? After David inadvertently learns Shona has a child, she starts to open up a little. Is she about to confess all? Elsewhere, Jenny is still unaware of Johnny's health concerns, and Nathan still has his hooks in poor Bethany, seemingly the only person in Weatherfield and beyond who can't see he's an out-and-out nasty piece of work. Can mum Sarah make her see sense at last?

As she recovers in hospital from a beating by Nathan's thugs, will Shona's feelings for David lead her to tell all about her son?

As she recovers in hospital from a beating by Nathan's thugs, will Shona's feelings for David lead her to tell all about her son?

Meanwhile, twisted cop Neil has a few words with Bethany. What is he planning?

On the teenager's birthday, Craig is delighted when she tells him she and Nathan are over. But it's a lie!

On Neil's orders, Bethany later goes in search of her passport…

…But is spotted by her mum, Sarah

Having got to the passport first, what will Sarah do as she tries desperately to protect her daughter?

Out on the street, Sinead has had enough of Daniel and dumps him…

…only then to make a shocking discovery about his family

Back at the hospital, Shona begins to open up about her child, and David leans over to kiss her

Later, on a visit to Kylie's grave, David is stunned to find Shona there

Is the smitten mum about to reveal her killer secret at last?

Outside the café, Jenny is amused when Johnny stumbles on the way home

She laughingly blames it on booze, but Johnny knows it far more serious. How long will it be before the truth emerges? Watch another dramatic week on Coronation Street from Monday 5 June

Now Sarah knows the truth about abuser Nathan Curtis and his sex ring, she is desperate to rescue her daughter from his clutches! Will she succeed? Tina O’Brien reveals all…

Sarah Platt always suspected Nathan Curtis was a nasty piece of work. But discovering just how hideous he is has been worse than she ever imagined.

"Sarah’s heartbroken, especially as deep down she always instinctively felt the relationship wasn’t right," Corrie actress Tina O’Brien tells Soaplife. "But she pushed that to one side because she didn’t want to lose Bethany." Now Sarah’s desperate to save her daughter…

What’s Sarah’s initial plan to fix this situation? “Sarah’s at a loss about what to do,  this is not a black and white situation. Sarah and Gary try to get through the reality of things to Bethany.”

Does she listen? “No. She won’t listen to them. She keeps defending Nathan’s actions as she’s so blinded by what she thinks is love. It’s frustrating and terrifying for Sarah to see her daughter this way.”

What happens when policeman Neil comes to the house? “At this point, Sarah thinks Bethany and Nathan have split, so she’s pleased Bethany looks like she is finally opening up to someone when Neil comes to the house. She’s not suspicious because Neil’s in police uniform.”

How does Sarah react when she finds Bethany looking for her passport? “It completely throws her. She was so relieved when it looked like Bethany was making a breakthrough, so she has no idea where this sudden change in her has come from.”

Can you talk us through the scene where Sarah finds Bethany about to self-harm? “Audrey spots the burn mark on Bethany’s arm and tries to comfort her, saying that Nathan will soon be a distant memory. But later Sarah finds Bethany trying to burn her other arm with a cigarette as she thinks she has let Nathan down. It then dawns on Sarah just how deep Nathan has drawn Bethany into his web.”

Does she blame herself? “Definitely. She feels she hasn’t protected Bethany and she’s failed as a mother.”

Abused Bethany is lashing out in Corrie... but at her family! Get the full, grim story

Bethany's life has reached the murky, seedy depths that only nasty Nathan could lower her to in Corrie. But Nathan's been grooming vulnerable Bethany for weeks now, even proposing marriage to her, to keep her well and truly in his clutches!

He popped the question after coercing her into sleeping with older man Neil and, with the confused teen bewildered and upset, she agreed!

But as Nathan plans another 'party', where Bethany is 'on offer' to the invited men, will the schoolgirl go through with her fiance's wishes and what, exactly, puts her in a rage and makes her lash out?

Is life about to get even more harrowing and abusive for Bethany or will her mum, Sarah, come to the rescue?

Bethany goes into a violent rage when she's 'held captive' by Sarah at No. 8. But who will bear the brunt of her anger and frustration?

Bethany goes into a violent rage when she's 'held captive' by Sarah at No. 8. But who will bear the brunt of her anger and frustration?

Earlier, Nathan told Bethany he was having another 'party' with his older male friends and she was the main attraction...

After Nathan plied Bethany with booze and made her dress in next-to-nothing, Sarah came to the rescue when she sensed something was up... But she doesn't know what exactly

Having freaked out at the state of her young daughter, Sarah got her straight out of Nathan's and straight back to safety at the family home... locking the door firmly behind her!

Sarah is shocked at her scantily-clad and drunk daughter in front of her...

But when drunk and muddled Bethany eventually comes round on the sofa, she realises her new fiance is expecting her at the party - and he won't be happy...

In fact, knowing how mad Nathan will be with her, she loses it completely when Sarah won't unlock the door and violently lashes out at her family and Gary!

Out of control, Bethany causes injury as she tries to escape. Will she run back to Nathan or has Sarah rescued her in time?Watch Coronation Street on ITV from Monday, May 15

The Bethany Platt grooming storyline reached its low point when she was coerced into sleeping with a friend of Nathan's in Corrie

Coronation Street viewers were left horrified and sickened as the Bethany Platt grooming storyline came to a head with a disturbing rape scene.

The story, which has seen Lucy Fallon’s character be gradually manipulated by her older boyfriend Nathan Curtis (Chris Harper), reached a new low on Friday after she was lured into sex with his friend.

Nathan told Bethany to meet Neil for drinks, but the second of the double-episode saw him take her to a bedroom before beginning to kiss her.

The ITV soap didn't show graphic scenes, but focused on Bethany’s face as she began to cry.

Lucy herself also tweeted during the episode, thanking viewers for their support.

The broadcaster has shared links to support information throughout the storyline, which has dominated the soap this year.

But things are about to get even worse for the teenager as Nathan continues to pile on the pressure.

While she is thrilled by his upcoming proposal, she will find herself again in a difficult position when another friend of Nathan’s shows an interest in meeting her.

Coronation Street continues on ITV at 7.30pm on Monday.

Actor Chris Harper visited victims of the Rotherham scandal to prepare for Corrie's grooming storyline and he was surprised by their reaction...

Coronation Street actor Chris Harper has said some of the girls in the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal started singing and dancing when they heard the ITV soap would be tackling grooming.

The actor, 39, met with abuse victims as he prepared for the storyline in which his character Nathan Curtis dupes schoolgirl Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) into a relationship and starts pimping her out to his friends.

He said on This Morning: “I’ve met some incredibly strong people. Some of the girls from the Rotherham case, for example.

“When they found out that Corrie were going to do the story they did this dance in front of me. I was there at a charity thing and they went, (singing) ‘Corrie are doing grooming, Corrie are doing grooming’.

“Because they are used to just being splashed across tabloid headlines.

“Or ignored or labelled.

“And what has happened through Corrie, but also through the fantastic work the NSPCC are doing, and Barnardo’s, it is really pushing this as a big problem we’ve got across the country.”

Chris said he has had a lot of backing from people affected by the issues being dealt with on the programme.

“The community that’s out there for people who are victims or survivors, however they label themselves, is very very warm and very very supportive,” he said.

Next week’s Corrie will show Bethany’s situation take an even darker turn when Nathan manipulates her into making a commitment to him.

Chris, who is now an ambassador for sexual abuse charity Voicing CSA, said the schoolgirl is 'going to be entering a very dark place'.

Bethany's 'boyfriend' Nathan has manipulated and abused her in Corrie, so when he proposes, what will she say?

After Nathan shockingly coerced Bethany to sleep with his friend and older man, Neil, surely Bethany should have escaped his clutches by now and run a mile? The distraught teen does run back to her mum Sarah's for comfort, but with oblivious Sarah following Gary's advice and playing it cool with her daughter over Nathan, Bethany feels like she doesn't care…

Will she be pushed back into dodgy Nathan's arms or will the sleazy salon owner have to pull out all the stops to win the abused and confused schoolgirl round?

It seems he doesn't have to try too hard when he later charms the youngster back to his. But will she say 'yes' when he pops the questions?

When Nathan gets down on one knee, will Bethany do a runner?

When Nathan gets down on one knee, will Bethany do a runner?

After earlier running away from Nathan's when he seemed unconcerned about her night with Neil, upset Bethany has ended up in the florist's with Mary…

But will Bethany tell Mary everything in the absence of a sympathetic ear from Sarah?

When Nathan barges in, fuming after discovering Mel didn't stop Bethany from leaving earlier, is there no escape route for the teen?

So when Bethany is later told by Mel about Nathan wanting to propose, the youngster softens… But how will she respond to him?

When Sarah turns up to see Bethany, will she be less 'distant' than she intended before?

As the mum and daughter hug, is Sarah happy that Bethany's finally left Nathan, or is the mum putting on a brave face?

But with more of Nathan's friends hanging around, Bethany appears to be in further danger... Watch Coronation Street on ITV from Holiday Monday, May 1

Schoolgirl Bethany is shocked when Nathan allows his friend Neil to carry her off to a bedroom. But she does have sex with him, Corrie’s Lucy Fallon tells Soaplife

Twisted Nathan Curtis’s perverted plans for Bethany Platt are put into action when he sets her up to sleep with his friend, Neil, in Corrie.

“Nathan asks her to go out for a drink with Neil and she ends up in the bedroom with him – it is a truly horrible thing to happen to her," Lucy Fallon told Soaplife. Just how does it happen and how much worse might it get for poor Bethany?

How does it happen? “It’s all been thought out by Nathan [Chris Harper]. Bethany’s alone in Nathan’s flat when some guy calls, saying he’s come to collect all the video equipment. Bethany innocently hands it over. When Nathan returns, he pretends that the equipment was actually Neil’s and he’s furious.”

Go on... “Bethany feels very guilty, but Nathan tells her it’ll be OK if she goes for a drink with Neil to make it up to him. So she does. She and Neil have a few drinks together before heading back to Nathan’s, where there’s a party going on.”

What happens next? “Neil keeps trying to make Bethany sit on his knee and she tries to let Nathan know that she feels very uncomfortable about this. Nathan, however, ignores her. Neil then carries her into the bedroom…”

Why doesn’t she start kicking and screaming? “She keeps saying ‘No’ to Neil and telling him she’s got a boyfriend but I think, because she’s so in love with Nathan, she just does what he seems to want her to do.”

What does Nathan say to Bethany after she’s slept with Neil? “We see them the morning after and he’s acting like everything’s normal. Bethany’s really confused. She feels she’s cheated on him. When she tries to talk to him about it, he’s like, ‘It’s cool’. Later on he tells Bethany, ‘I know what happened and it’s fine – you did good’. After that she’s more confused than ever.”

Can’t Bethany go home? “She wants to, and she wants Sarah [Tina O’Brien] to be a strict mum, but Sarah’s deliberately being cool on her fella Gary’s [Mikey North] advice. Bethany feels that her mum isn’t bothered about her any more. So Nathan’s got her just where he wants her."

Please say it’s not going to get even worse for Bethany? “We have quite a way to go with this storyline, certainly until well into the summer…”

Coronation Street, ITV

Young Bethany seems well and truly caught in evil Nathan's net when he moves his wicked plan to the next stage in Corrie…

Sleazy salon owner Nathan has been grooming young Bethany for other men for weeks in Corrie, and given that she's smitten with older man Nathan, how far will the unwitting teen go to please him? With her mum, Sarah, and Sarah's boyfriend, Gary, liking Nathan less and less by the minute, without even knowing the full story, will they break the spell he has over the schoolgirl?

We know that naive Bethany needs to escape his clutches – and soon – but the youngster doesn't realise that. So will she put herself in danger or will she, hopefully, run a mile and inform the police along the way?

Sick with worry about her daughter's relationship with Nathan, Sarah and boyfriend Gary turn up to confront him…

Sick with worry about her daughter's relationship with Nathan, Sarah and boyfriend Gary turn up to confront him…

But will the teen appreciate their concern or will her mum's interference push her closer to her much older man?

Things didn't go well, as Bethany later sobs after a rant from frustrated Nathan, who's on a secret mission to isolate her from her family

Controlling Nathan later apologises for losing his temper and puts his plan into action, setting up a 'date' between Bethany and his 'friend' Neil…

Nathan has set Bethany up to have a drink with his pal, Neil. But Neil takes her back to Nathan's, saying there's a party taking place. How much danger is Bethany in?

An uncomfortable and confused Bethany accompanies Neil to Nathan's flat. Will Neil sleep with her, as intended, or will Bethany get away?Watch Coronation Street on ITV from Monday, April 24

Bethany finds out Nathan isn’t all that he seems, explains Coronation Street star Lucy Fallon as she discusses the schoolgirl’s disturbing relationship

Bethany has been led to believe that there’s never been anything between Nathan and Mel so when she happens to see a picture of them kissing, the angry, upset and confused teen confronts the older man she regards as her boyfriend, Lucy Fallon tells Soaplife.

But Nathan reacts by switching it back on her and saying her reaction is really childlike. “Did you expect me to be a virgin when we met?” he says, and tries to belittle her…

What happens after Nathan’s turned the tables on Bethany? “She storms out, but then she’s really upset because she doesn’t want him to think of her as a child. She does want to be with him, but she’s really confused.

Where does she go? “Home. She tries to get some advice from her mum, but Sarah [Tina O'Brien] doesn’t say very much. I think Sarah’s being careful not to push Bethany too far, and hoping she’ll dump Nathan. Sarah just says Nathan should have told Bethany he’d had some kind of relationship with Mel [Sonia Ibrahim].”

So is Bethany going to dump him? “No. She goes upstairs for a shower and overhears Sarah talking to Gary, saying she’s really glad Bethany’s not with ‘that creep’ any more. This makes Bethany very defensive of Nathan [Christopher Harper] and she’s determined to get back with him. Sarah’s trying to be cool about Nathan, but without knowing it she’s played into Bethany’s hands.”

Why is Bethany so into Nathan? “He’s so charming, so supportive of her and her vlogs, and he’s always telling her how talented she is. He gives her lots of time and attention, talks to her about her future and giving up school. Bethany feels like she’s being treated as a grown woman even though she’s still really a child.”

How do you feel about this storyline? “It’s disturbing and some of the scenes are really difficult to play, but I am enjoying it. I think it’s a really important story to tell, especially pre-watershed, because that is when young girls like Bethany who may be affected are watching. It is an uncomfortable watch at times, but the storyline really has to go to dark places if it’s going to have an impact.”

Have you done a lot of research for it? “I met with the NSPCC and a girl who’s survived this type of abuse herself who told me her story. What she went through was horrific and she was so brave sharing her experiences with us. It’s really spurred me on to do the best I possibly can.”

Coronation Street, ITV

Nasty Nathan has got smitten Bethany where he wants her - but will she see sense any time soon or be further drawn into his seedy world?

Unbeknownst  to naive teen Bethany, older man Nathan has been grooming her, but she's fallen for the thirtysomething's charm and revels in the attention of the older man who's been playing her. After all, the 16-year-old was recently bullied at school and lacked confidence, then Nathan 'rescued' her and lavished praise when she needed it. But with her mum, Sarah, now keen to meet and vet him at a family dinner, will Nathan's charm offensive win over the Platts too or will Sarah be suspicions about the intentions of Bethany's much older man?

As for Bethany, will she escape Nathan's controlling clutches or is it too late for the youngster?

Nathan nudges Bethany further towards where he wants her, which means the schoolgirl is in BIG danger...

Nathan nudges Bethany further towards where he wants her, which means the schoolgirl is in BIG danger...

Earlier on, Bethany's dramatically caught up with the police when she provides a false alibi when Nathan's arrested for assault…

Bethany's desperate to get him off the hook so they can attend the family meal at the Platts, where concerned mum Sarah meets him for the first time…

With Sarah and Gary shocked that Bethany's boyfriend is older than they are, Sarah decides not to make a fuss so she can remain on good terms with her daughter…

When Nathan later invites Bethany to a party, the glammed-up teenager feels awkward when she realises all the guests are men, except for Mel…

With Bethany oblivious to the possible danger she's in, what exactly are Nathan's intentions, and will Sarah cotton on to his sleazy plan?Watch Coronation Street on ITV from Monday, March 13

Coronation Street fans took to Twitter to praise the show for its decision to broadcast a child grooming storyline involving Bethany Platt.

Coronation Street’s decision to broadcast a child grooming storyline has been commended by viewers.

The ITV soap has been screening scenes in which character Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) has been targeted by Nathan Curtis (Chris Harper), a much older man.

In Friday night’s double episode, Nathan manipulated the teenager by arranging for her to get drunk before taking her back to his house.

He had earlier been arrested over suspicions about another girl’s disappearance, but was later released and asked Bethany to provide an alibi for him.

Last week Chris Harper revealed he had met with real life sex abuse victims to help him prepare for the role.

In an interview with the Sunday People, he said: "It’s massively important I get this right for them. “We want to reach out to people to let them know help is out there, and to tell abusers they can’t get away with it. It’s the most important storyline I’ve ever had.

“Half the problem is getting people to come forward. It’s been said that for every one person reporting abuse, another seven don’t.”

Earlier this month the NSPCC introduced Chris to a child abuse victim, now 20, who has been advising the show’s writers.

Soap fans thought it was important that some light was shed on the issue of grooming youngsters.

@BlueButterflyuk tweeted: Really uncomfortable viewing this #Bethany storyline but needs to be shown #scary #CoronationStreet

@Vikki__Black wrote: Bethany is in so much danger. This storyline is so good. Showing how easy it is for young people to be groomed. #corrie @itvcorrie

@hogwarts_lwt said: This storyline is making me feel sick, glad it's being shown tho #Corrie

The soap ended by telling viewers they should visit itv.com/advice if affected by the issues in Bethany’s storyline.

Coronation Street continues on ITV on Monday at 7.30pm.

Creepy Nathan Curtis is Bethany’s Mr Wrong – but she thinks he’s perfect! What will her mum Sarah think of him, though? Lucy Fallon reveals more

Nathan Curtis is grooming Bethany Platt for bad things in Corrie. But she sees him as a great guy!

“Nathan makes her feel special, is really nice to her, protective towards her and acts like he really cares for her – Bethany definitely considers him to be her first real boyfriend,” actress Lucy Fallon told Soaplife.

But Bethany hasn’t told Sarah about him, has she? “No! It will be obvious to Sarah that Nathan’s 20 years older than Bethany and she knows Sarah [Tina O’Brien] will see that as wrong – as any mum would. Also, Bethany doesn’t want Sarah to get involved because she feels that this is her thing and something that’s going right in her life for once.”

But Sarah finds out from a neighbour… “And Sarah goes mad. She wants to know where Bethany’s been and why she stayed out all night. Bethany’s adamant that she stayed with Mel [Nathan’s assistant], but then Rana Nazir [Bhavna Limbachia] tells Sarah that Bethany went off with Nathan. Sarah’s furious about that and also that Bethany lied.”

What happens? “Sarah tries to ban Bethany from seeing Nathan and Bethany gets really angry. She says Sarah can’t stop her and tells her mum to stop interfering in her life.”

Does Sarah give Bethany an ultimatum? “No. Sarah realises that if she keeps trying to stop Bethany from spending time with Nathan then she’ll just push her further into his arms. Sarah’s forced to backtrack and tries to talk to Bethany more in order to get through to her.”

Were you embarrassed filming the kissing scenes?` “They were my first on-screen kisses and I was really nervous, but Christopher [Harper, who plays Nathan] is really nice, although his character is horrible!”

Coronation Street, ITV

Coronation Street actor Chris Harper, whose character Nathan Curtis is involved in a controversial grooming storyline, has revealed he met real life sex abuse victims to help him portray the role accurately and sensitively.

Coronation Street actor Chris Harper has revealed he met victims of sexual abuse to prepare him for his harrowing grooming storyline.

The actor - who plays Nathan in the soap - has been seen starting to groom 16-year-old Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon), and next week viewers will see him lure her back to his flat.

Speaking to the Sunday People about the controversial new storyline, he revealed he felt a responsibility to portray the role sensitively and accurately, so he met with victims of sexual abuse to hear their stories.

"It’s massively important I get this right for them," he said. "We want to reach out to people to let them know help is out there, and to tell abusers they can’t get away with it.

"It's the most important storyline I've ever had.

“Half the problem is getting people to come forward. It’s been said that for every one person reporting abuse, another seven don’t.”

Last week the NSPCC introduced Chris to a child abuse victim, now 20, who has been advising the show’s writers.

Chris first appeared on the soap as Nathan, the ex of Shona, back in November.

At Christmas, Bethany's revelation that she had a crush on Gary Windass left her humiliated to the point that she took a heap of diet pills and collapsed.

When Nathan found the troubled teen, (played by 21-year-old Lucy) he told her she could contact him any time - which appeared to signify the beginning of a sinister relationship.

Bethany has also been the victim of a spate of bullying at school, making her especially vulnerable to Nathan's affections.

The teen - who returned to Weatherfield from Italy with mum Sarah in 2015 - has so far yet to settle into a quiet routine, as she has been keen to stir up strife and trouble at every opportunity.

The soap will show Nathan exploiting her innocence and naivety.

Corrie’s bosses hope that by airing Nathan’s grooming storyline pre-watershed they may reach out to children and vulnerable young people aged up to 18 who could be watching, perhaps with their families.

Coronation Street continues next week on ITV1.

Nasty Nathan Curtis has got Bethany just where he wants her and then he’s arrested, reveals Corrie newcomer Christopher Harper

Sexual predator Nathan Curtis is grooming Bethany Platt in Corrie and she has no idea…

“Nathan’s been careful and he’s moving in on her very gradually because he hasn’t wanted to scare her off,” Christopher Harper told Soaplife. “He knew it was working when she was willing to video herself. Making that first video gave him a chance to lavish her with compliments, which she’s taken very much to heart.”

But Nathan’s not working alone…

Who’s his accomplice? “It’s a girl called Mel, who says she’s a mate of Nathan’s. The fact Nathan has a friend who’s a girl makes him look a lot more credible and trustworthy to Bethany [Lucy Fallon]. Mel encourages Bethany to go back to Nathan’s tanning salon and make another video.”

What happens when she does? “Nathan flatters and compliments Bethany, and he ends up kissing her. It’s a green light and he’s drawn her in. The fact she’s having what is really her first kiss with him means that he’s inside her heart.”

They both get a shock, though, when the police turn up, don’t they? “Yes. They want to talk to Nathan about a missing girl and he needs Bethany to give him an alibi. If she does, he’s got her. If she doesn’t, he’s in hot water.”

What reaction have you had to the story so far? “People are very protective towards Bethany, which is very understandable. Some people are suspicious of Nathan, but until now he’s seemed a nice enough guy. That won’t last for much longer, though.”

Are you nervous about the reaction from viewers as the story progresses? “It’s important to raise awareness of the issue the story is about. It’s one that affects lots of people to varying degrees. I’m not worried about how people might react to Nathan because what I want is for people to look out for Bethany.”

How will Nathan cope if the Platts discover his game? “Nathan’s an expert in going sideways or backwards. He’s a slippery one. Nathan avoids contact with most of the other adults in Weatherfield, so they’ll have to move fast if they’re on to him as he’ll leave town pretty quickly!”

Coronation Street, ITV

Besotted Bethany Platt makes a misjudged move on mum Sarah’s fella, Gary, in Corrie. Lucy Fallon reveals all to Soaplife…

Bethany Platt misreads all of Gary’s signals in Coronation Street and thinks she’s having a date with him, Lucy Fallon tells Soaplife. But it ends in total humiliation for the teenager...

Bethany’s developed quite a crush on Gary, hasn’t she? “It’s because he’s been so nice to her. She seems fine because the bullying’s stopped at school, but there’s been a lot going on at home and Gary [Mikey North] knows she’s not as together as she seems.”

How does Bethany’s 'dinner date' with Gary come about? “He compliments her on a new hairdo and she reckons it must mean he fancies her, too. It gives her the confidence to ask him round for a candle-lit dinner for two when she knows she’ll have Uncle Nick’s flat to herself. She even keeps the hairdo in for their date!”

What does Bethany think is going to happen on the date? “She’s put a lasagne in the oven and candles on the table. This is Bethany’s way of trying to show Gary that she’s grown up. She wants it to be just the two of them on an intimate level, so she can tell him she has feelings for him - and she hopes he’ll say it back.”

And he agrees to come to dinner… “But Gary thinks the family will be there, too. When he arrives, Bethany isn’t there, but Sarah [Tina O’Brien] is. Gary thinks Bethany’s set up this romantic evening for them.”

So why is Sarah there and not Bethany? “Bethany’s gone to get more candles and Sarah’s arrived home after her shift at the Rovers is cancelled. Sarah thinks she’ll have a quiet night in and finds Gary at the flat. As Sarah is returning, she sees Gary and Sarah smooching on the balcony.”

What does Bethany do? “Nothing really, but she feels very foolish, humiliated, and embarrassed. She’s not angry with Sarah because she knows it’s not Sarah’s fault. But it chips away at her confidence.”

And how does she feel about Gary? “Bethany still has feelings for him and she’ll find it very difficult if Gary’s around all the time as her mum’s boyfriend.”

Would she cause trouble for the couple? “Accidentally, maybe, but not on purpose. Bethany knows that everybody’s been through a lot and she’s grown up a lot, too. She doesn’t set out to hurt people any more.”

Wouldn’t Bethany be better off looking for a boyfriend her own age? “The problem is that Bethany thinks anybody her age is really immature. She had feelings for Callum and now she has feelings for Gary. She’s always interested in her mum’s men! Bethany’s vulnerable and this will cause problems in the future…”

Coronation Street, ITV

Gary Windass is in the firing line when Sarah finds out her daughter has been taking dodgy diet pills in Corrie

Bullied into thinking she's overweight, Sarah's troubled daughter Bethany has secretly resorted to taking diet pills in a bid to lose both pounds and her tormentors in Corrie.

A concerned Gary found out about the youngster's battle with a non-existent weight problem when she collapsed in the gym, but Bethany has managed to keep her pill-popping from her mum. Until now, that is...

Upbeat as her friendship with Gary deepens, Sarah's mood darkens when she makes a shocking find…

Upbeat as her friendship with Gary deepens, Sarah's mood darkens when she makes a shocking find…

Stumbling across some of Bethany's diet pills, Sarah demands answers from her daughter

Bethany has no choice but to come clean, and when she reveals that Gary knew what was going on, Sarah's furious!

As Sarah rails at Gary for keeping quiet, he explains that he was only trying to help Bethany

As the pair row, is their blossoming romance over before it had barely begun? Find out on Corrie from Monday, October 10 on ITV

Bethany takes drastic action in Corrie to try to reduce her weight and get the bullies off her back – but she puts her health at risk, reveals Lucy Fallon

Corrie’s Bethany Platt has been picked on by bullies for months. But she becomes her own worst enemy when she starts fighting a weight problem she doesn’t even have. Lucy Fallon reveals all to Soaplife.

Bethany is bullied into believing she’s fat, isn’t she? “Yes. She’s receiving texts from several girls at school saying she’s fat, and that has made her really self-conscious and determined to lose weight.”

And Craig (Colson Smith) makes her feel even worse about herself! How? “He posts a picture of Bethany on social media, showing her breaking Max and Lily’s new swing. Bethany’s absolutely mortified when she sees the image online. She already feels really self-conscious because of the school bullies. Knowing everyone can see the photo just makes her feel worse.”

So what does she do? “She starts taking diet pills. She gets them off the internet and knows they’re illegal. She knows they’re not good for her and she hasn’t a clue what’s in them. But she ordered them in the hope they’ll make her lose weight faster and they arrive the day she breaks the swing.”

Does anyone know Bethany’s taking pills? “No way! She’s well aware she shouldn’t be taking them, plus she doesn’t want to worry her family after everything they’ve been through because of Kylie’s death.”

But she collapses at the gym, doesn’t she? “Yes. She’s taken some pills and not eaten. She is pushing herself on the running machine and she passes out. This worries her a bit, but not enough to make her want to stop taking the pills.”

How does she feel when gym instructor Gary finds the pills? “She’s really worried that he’ll tell her family. He confronts her and she’s forced to tell him why she’s taking them. Gary [Mikey North] says he’ll report the bullies, but Bethany’s not happy about that. She thinks it will make the bullying worse. She really tries to persuade him not to, but it looks like he’s going to, anyway...”

Coronation Street, ITV

Corrie star Lucy Fallon reveals that when the bullies step up their attacks on Bethany Platt, the usually tough girl needs help, but has no one to turn to

Her mum’s had a breakdown and a lonely Bethany faces a new battle against her school bullies in Coronation Street. Lucy Fallon reveals the full story to Soaplife...

Lead bully Lauren plays a mean trick on Bethany, doesn’t she? “Yes. Lauren [Shannon Flynn] has been picking on Bethany at school, but then she makes out she really wants to be Bethany’s friend and she suggests they look for holiday jobs together. Bethany believes her and she’s delighted, but it turns out to be all lies!”

How does Lauren find out about Sarah being ill? “Bethany and Lauren are in the Roy’s Rolls and Lauren’s doing her ‘I’m really your friend act’ when she hears Alex [Liam Bairstow] asking Bethany how her mum’s been, mentioning he’s been to a psychiatric ward himself. So Lauren kind of twigs that Bethany’s mum has gone a little bit psychotic.”

What happens next? “Lauren texts her bully friends and, when Bethany and Lauren leave the cafe, there’s a big group of girls waiting for Bethany and they, plus Lauren, start chanting ‘Psycho! Psycho!’ It gets nasty and Bethany’s extremely upset.”

She needs her mum! “Yes, but she can’t talk to Sarah [Tina O’Brien] because of everything that’s going on with her. Bethany feels very isolated and scared at the moment. It’s a very bad time for her.”

You wouldn’t expect a feisty girl like Bethany to be bothered by bullies… “Maybe not, but it shows how bullying can happen to anyone. It’s good to see Bethany’s vulnerable side. She may be ballsy on the surface, but she’s a normal teenage girl underneath it all and she does have feelings. Just because she’s feisty, it doesn’t mean people aren’t going to pick on her.”

Why are they picking on her? “There are a number of reasons. She’s different to the other girls because she lived in Italy for years. Maybe they’re jealous of her style. Plus, being relatively new to the school makes her a target. It’s a minefield.”

How bad is the bullying going to get? “I don’t know exactly, but it’s a slow-burning storyline, rather than one that will be quickly resolved. I’ve been told it will continue until well into autumn.”

What advice would you give Bethany? “To tell an adult she trusts and she can rely on. Her aunty Kylie [Paula Lane], perhaps? Or maybe her grandma Gail [Helen Worth]. Bethany certainly can’t deal with this on her own.”

https://youtu.be/7op650vIYH4

Coronation Street, ITV

Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) has been bunking off school in Coronation Street because she's being singled out by the classroom bullies.

The problem reached a head when mum Sarah (Tina O'Brien) found out about the absences at the school parent evening and Bethany flipped after she was confronted.

But while Sarah's growing more concerned about her daughter's troublesome behaviour, Bethany has been keeping the source of her problems to herself. 

This week, however, she reveals all to Kylie (Paula Lane). Can she help the struggling teenager?

After Bethany fails to convince her mum she's ill and shouldn't go to school, Kylie finds her in tears and invites her back to No.8. Bethany opens up about the bullying, but will she take Kylie's advice?

After standing her ground against Megan and her gang on the street, Bethany is rescued by Luke Britton (Dean Fagan), who takes her to the salon, where Sarah and Grandma Audrey (Sue Nicholls) listen in horror as she reveals her bullying secret.

Sarah decides she has to sort out Megan for Bethany's sake. What has she got in mind?

Will Bethany be pleased she revealed the truth to her mum? And will her bullying nightmare come to an end?

Watch Coronation Street on ITV from Monday, 7 March.

Coronation Street star Lucy Fallon says Bethany wants her mum’s boyfriend Callum and will do anything to get him…

So Bethany has the hots for Callum?

"She really fancies Callum (Sean Ward) - he seems exciting and a bit dangerous, plus she thinks he's really fit. She's jealous of her mum's relationship."

Does Bethany seriously think that Callum fancies her back?

"Yeah - there are quite a few scenes where it does sort of come across that he might fancy her, and because she’s young and has never had a boyfriend before, she takes anything he says literally. She definitely thinks he fancies her."

She seems keen to help with his drug dealing – why?

"She wants to get involved because she wants him to like her. Bethany thinks if she helps him to do all these things he’s asking her to, then maybe there’ll be more of a chance that they’ll actually be together."

Does Bethany have any idea of what she’s getting herself into?

"None at all. She’s naive, and not too clever!"

What does she make of Callum’s feud with her uncle, David?

"I don’t think she cares. She’s a 15-year-old girl who’s only bothered about herself. She’s completely wrapped up in this whole thing with Callum."

Do you think that Callum and Bethany are evenly matched?

"Bethany would like to think so but no, Bethany’s not as bad as Callum. She’s not a villain, she’s just got herself wrapped up in his games. She’s playing with fire, but she has absolutely no idea what she’s getting in to."

Where does Bethany gets her ruthless, devious streak from?

"Definitely her mum. Sarah was like that when she was younger, so she’s just sort of taking over from her. "

Bethany Platt is about to get into water so deep she'll need a scuba gear to survive it on Coronation Street. She unwittingly becomes a drug dealer when the smitten girl drops around to visit her mum's bloke Callum Logan.

It's one thing being a bit wild, but drug dealing is whole new level of trouble. So how does it happen?

The trouble begins when the innocent teenager drops around to see Callum...

He explains to her that he's off out to do some 'work', but suggests she tag along. Of course, anyone else would run a mile, but Bethany's up for a bit of action, especially as Callum is asking.

It's not long before dodgy Callum has duped Bethany into buying some drugs on his behalf. Not only that, but Callum is filming the transaction from a distance.

Check out the tats: No wonder Bethany looks taken aback when she hands the dealer the money.

As the dealer disappears to get the drugs, Bethany is completely unaware Callum has filmed the exchange! But why has he done that? Clearly he thinks the footage will come in handy...

The next day, Bethany and Callum meet up with Gemma at the Dog.

Callum gets Bethany trollied with vodka and marijuana before inviting the girls back to his flat… 

…and again he gets his mobile phone to film her. It looks like he intends to blackmail Bethany into doing more dodgy dealings...

Watch all the drama on Coronation Street on ITV from Monday, July 20.

Lucy Fallon reveals to Soaplife how she took her giant step from a small role in a panto to playing big, bad Beth in Coronation Street…

Corrie's Bethany Platt is one bad, bold girl on the Street, but Lucy Fallon, who plays brat Beth, is a real sweetie. "I've never really been a wild child like Bethany – I'm just a normal 19-year-old," Lucy tells Soaplife. "One of my favourite things to do is relax in the bath! I don't really know any one like Beth. I play her according to the brilliant scripts. She's the best fun to play."

So, how did you get into acting?

"My two big sisters went to acting and dance classes, and I wanted to do what they did. I went to a theatre school called Barbara Jackson's in Blackpool, where I'm from. I did singing, dancing and drama there from about two years of age, and then I also went to private drama lessons from when I was about eight. I did LAMDA [Londa Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts] exams and drama festivals. I also went to Blackpool Sixth Form College and did performing arts. I finished there last June."

And how did that lead to Corrie?

"I'd auditioned to go to ArtsEd and Mountview drama schools in London, and was offered Foundation courses at both but it was too expensive for me. Then I got a part as a dancer in Sleeping Beauty at Blackpool and, while I was doing that, I auditioned for Corrie. Pretty much as soon as panto finished, I heard I'd got the part of Bethany. The way it happened makes me feel it was fate. Corrie will be my drama school. I'm learning everything here."

Is there any rivalry between you and your sisters now?

"[Laughs] No! They're both very happy for me and very happy with their careers. Rachel, who's 32, is a deputy head at a high school, while Laura, 29, is a contemporary dance and ballet teacher."

You still live with your parents in Blackpool, don’t you?

"Yes, but I hope to move to Manchester at some point. The commute is very tiring. It takes an hour, although it’s longer by car because of the traffic."

Did you watch Corrie when you were younger?

"Yeah. I remember Richard Hillman [Brian Capron] driving the car into the canal. I remember the song that was playing in the car at the time – the “You and Me Song” by The Wannadies.

What’s it like playing a character five years younger than your real age?

"Oh, I'm used to people thinking I’m younger than I really am. I'm always getting ID’d."

Do you have a boyfriend?

"Yeah – he’s called Ryan and is a waiter at Pizza Express in Blackpool. He's not an actor. That's all I want to say about him, really."

Have you ever had any waitressing jobs yourself?

“I've had loads of casual jobs. I’ve worked at Subway, at Next, at New Look. . . I worked on the North Pier in Blackpool in a bar. I worked in a nightclub but only lasted about two days. I have a really bad phobia of sick and we had to clean sick up as part of the job. I just couldn't do it."

Do your mates ask you for any of the fit Corrie guys' numbers?

"No – but some of my mates from drama school are obsessed with the show. They really like Sean [Ward, who plays Callum]."

Coronation Street, ITV.

Coronation Street newcomer Lucy Fallon says Sarah's daughter Bethany Platt is feisty, funny… and trouble!

How did Bethany get a plane ticket from Milan to Manchester?

"She used her mum Sarah's credit card. She’s bored and thinks, ‘I’m going to get on a plane and stir up some trouble in Weatherfield'."

Won’t Sarah be worried?

"Bethany doesn’t care! Her relationship with Sarah has a lot to do with why she’s run away in the first place. Bethany gets left to her own devices a lot because Sarah’s so busy with her career."

How does Bethany end up in the Rovers with Andy?

"He happens to come along just as the cab driver’s let her off the fare. Bethany gets him to carry her bags and makes him take her to the pub. She’s downing a vodka when Gail walks in!"

Bet Gail doesn’t like that!

"No. Gail’s furious she’s been bought alcohol when she’s only 14!  Gail wants to know why Bethany’s in Weatherfield and is touched when she says she wanted to see her gran. But when Gail later speaks to Sarah in Milan and finds out about Bethany doing a runner – and being expelled from school for shoplifting – she gets cross again."

What will happen next?

"Sarah will arrive in Weatherfield to try and sort things out – it’s going to get messy."

Sounds like Bethany’s quite a handful…

"She is – she’s feisty, funny and really quite a naughty girl. She’s going to cause a lot of trouble. "

Coronation Street has unveiled its newest cast member - 19-year-old Lucy Fallon, who will take on the role of Bethany Platt, after the actress who was hired originally was axed when it was discovered she lied about her age.

 The soap dropped Katie Redford, who claimed she was 19, after it emerged that she was 25 - and would have turned 26 by the time she made her screen debut as the 14-year-old character.

Fans discovered her real age when they looked her up online after she landed the part as Gail McIntyre's granddaughter.

Speaking to BBC Radio 1's Newsbeat at the time, Redford's agent defended the actress, saying it 'wasn't [Katie's] idea to audition as a 19-year-old'.

"People in the industry do it regularly and she sort of went along with what we said," Joanne McLintock said. "I'm feeling really stressed and so sorry for Katie. It's her first real job and she's a star in the making."

Lucy, who is from Blackpool, started filming this week. The part in the long-running soap is her first TV role.

She said: "Walking on to the set was surreal and nerve-wracking, but everyone has been really welcoming and I am thrilled to have been given this great opportunity."

She will be first seen in Coronation Street in March.

Coronation Street has reportedly axed the actress who was going to play the returning Bethany Platt after she lied she was 19, when in fact there are suggestions she is 25.

The character of Bethany is actually 14, but Coronation Street producers had hired Katie Redford after she auditioned as a '19-year-old'.

The BBC reports that Corrie producers only became aware of the discrepancy after fans found evidence, including a CV, suggesting she was actually 25 which was then published online.

ITV announced announced today: "Coronation Street have taken the decision to recast the part of Bethany Platt."

Last week, ITV said: "Nottingham-born Katie, 19, will debut as tearaway teenager Bethany this spring when she arrives unannounced in Weatherfield from her home in Milan."

Redford herself said the role was 'a dream come true'.

"Until I'm actually on set, I genuinely don't think it will sink in that I'm joining the cast of Coronation Street," she added.

It's thought that she hadn't begun filming the role before the revelation occurred.

Corrie won't be re-auditioning for the role as they have another actress in mind already.

Bethany was last seen on Coronation Street in 2007, when she moved with mother Sarah-Louise to Italy. She is long-running character Gail McIntyre's granddaughter.

It may also mean that Tina O'Brien, who had Bethany as a teenager, could be returning to the Street as Sarah-Louise Platt.

Photo courtesy Jo McLintock/ITV