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...

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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

Cathy's trouble-making sister Nessa returns to Coronation Street. Will she wreck Roy's wedding plans?

With Roy displaying clear signs of pre-wedding jitters, the last person he probably needs hanging around the cafe in Corrie is his bride Cathy's sister, Nessa.

The irredeemable  flirt has previously wreaked havoc on the Street, and Cathy has never got over the fact her husband and sister had an affair. As Cathy's insecurities return along with Nessa, is her wedding to Roy in serious jeopardy?

Nessa's surprise return leads to an explosive clash with her sister Cathy

And Cathy's not the only one dismayed to see Nessa back; Nessa's son, Alex, is also unhappy

One night, Nessa is awoken with a start and is shocked to find Roy sitting on her bed!

Realising Roy has started sleepwalking again, Cathy is downcast

In the cafe, Cathy sees red when she hears Nessa boasting about her power over men

Losing control, she unleashes her pent-up anger over her sister's affair with her husband

Losing control, she unleashes her pent-up anger over her sister's affair with her husband

Eventually, though, Cathy agrees to put the past behind her and the siblings make their peace

Meanwhile, Brian and Tyrone want to know if Roy's stress is because, deep down, he doesn't want to get married

Forced to confront his true feelings for Cathy, will Roy call off the wedding? Watch Corrie on ITV from Monday, December 5

Roy helps Cathy deal with her hoarding issues on Coronation Street

Melanie Hill makes her debut in Coronation Street this week as Cathy Matthews, a widow who owns the next allotment to Roy and Sharif, and bonds with Roy over their shared experiences of losing their partners.

Here, Melanie tells TV Times about Cathy, the cobbles and why, at 53, she feels the luckiest woman alive…

What can you tell us about,Cathy?

“She’s just consumed with the loss of her husband, who passed away a year ago from cancer. He took care of everything – looking after the bills and obviously the allotment. She’s never had to take care of anything, and now that she’s on her own, she’s struggling, massively.

“She talks for England, but she’s very nervous. And there’s more to her than meets the eye. In future episodes, we’ll see that she’s carrying a big secret that she doesn’t want Roy to find out about.”

How does their first encounter go? 

“She’s a bit annoyed when she first meets him and Sharif, as they’re throwing rubbish into her allotment. But then they get talking about their partners passing away. She’s damaged and he’s obviously very damaged and I think they’re going to really help each other down the line.”

Was it daunting to work with a much-loved character who’s previously been part of a classic Corrie couple?

“Very! But I’d never in any way try to replace Hayley or come anywhere near that; I’m just coming in as Roy’s friend.”

Do you think viewers will warm to Cathy?

“They might have a problem, because of Hayley being such a massive character. I think the people on the street are going to have a problem with Cathy because she’s an outsider. They want to protect Roy and don’t know what her interests are in him.”

Have you auditioned for Coronation Street before?

“No, I haven’t. I’m happy to be in something long-running [Melanie has signed a 12-month contract] and long may it last. I did Waterloo Road for three and a half years and I like working like that.

“Very often in this business, you’re working with people for three months and then you move on and have to make new friends and it is quite daunting as you get older. I liked being with the Waterloo Road folks and being with the same people every day. A lot of actors don’t like that ,but at my time of life, that appeals to me.”

How did you celebrate when you got the part?

“I was at my dad’s house and we had a curry and a bottle of wine. I was ecstatic!”

How did you feel when you saw the cobbles for the first time?

“I was quite emotional. I felt like I was in the right place; like this is where I’m meant to be. I was terrified when I went into Roy’s Roll though, for my screen test. In the scene, I had to open an umbrella and on the first take, it, it broke and got stuck. I tried to improvise and failed miserably. I was convinced I’d blown it.”

You first became famous for playing Aveline in Bread. Do people still remember you for that?

“Up north they do, believe it or not, because it was 24 years ago, and I still get recognised for it. But it’s nice, and it was a lovely show. I think a lot of families watched it – it was one of those real old-fashioned comedy dramas.”

What’a the strangest place you’ve been recognised?

“I’ll tell you a funny story. When I was doing Bread, there were two old people that were following me around the Albert Dock in Liverpool. I thought, ‘They’ve recognised me’, so I said ‘Would you like an autograph?' They said, ‘Thank you very much, Gilly Coleman, we hate that new Aveline’ – which was me. Gilly was the original Aveline, and I took over the role when she left. They said ‘We can’t stand her, we wish you’d come back to Bread.’ I didn’t want to embarrass them so I signed my name Gilly Coleman. That brought me so down to earth.”

Waterloo Road and The Bill are gone – do you think there are now fewer opportunites for actors in continuing dramas?

“I was gutted when The Bill went, because it had just won loads of awards and then they canned it – I still don’t know why they did that. I think there’s less opportunity for people my age to work because the average age in all these shows is quite young. That’s why Corrie is good, because it has the older characters. They’re the interesting ones, to me.”

You trained at RADA, do classically-trained performers look down their noses at soap actors?

“If people do look down their noses, they’re being very ignorant, because these actors are the best at what they do. I take my hat off to soap actors because you’ve got to work like nothing else. The pace of the show, the way you’ve got to learn lines, you’ve got to be on it all the time. I don’t think RADA would look down their nose because anybody who’s working is doing well - 97 per cent of people in the acting profession are unemployed.”

You’ve spoken in the past about hitting 40. how do you feel about being in your fifties?

“Well, I’m over the moon because I can’t believe how lucky I am. I’m 53 and I’m in what is, in my opinion, the oldest, bestest show in England.”

Is this your proudest moment as an actor?

“Yes, it is really. And to be working at my age and having worked since my early twenties, I think that’s good going. I’ve had periods when I’ve been out of work, but I’m very lucky – and very happy.”

How do you unwind away from work?

“I like to watch football, even though I support Sunderland, who are about to get relegated. And I like to eat curry, have a drink, and spend time with my kids. And I love walking. I had my hip replaced a year ago and I can walk now, so I walk everywhere because I can. It’s great!”

Coronation Street’s newest star Melanie Hill has admitted it is a tough call to be the first woman in Roy Cropper’s life since his wife Hayley died.

Roy (David Neilson) supported Hayley (Julie Hesmondhalgh) as she ended her own life in January last year when she was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, and Melanie is due to step onto the cobbles as Cathy, a new friend he makes at the allotments.

Melanie said of Hayley: “She was so well loved and the fans felt it so much, which is why I’m gradually introduced, and as a friend.

Roy (David Neilson) and Cathy (Melanie Hill) become friends at the allotment (ITV)

“I think there’s going to be a few problems being accepted by people [on the Street, too.] I’ve had a few names mentioned where there will be barneys.”

Cathy is also a widow and Melanie said: “They’re just trying to cope with the loss, so that’s the common ground when they come together.”

On any possible romance, she added: “Who knows, they’re both single but it depends on a lot of things. Cathy’s very shy herself and it’s an interesting character, because there’s more to her than meets the eye. You think you’ve got her down, but then she doesn’t want Roy to go back to her house and see where she lives – that’s going to become interesting.”

Melanie Hill (Jonathan Brady/PA)

She added that it was a pleasure to work with David: “He’s wonderful to work with. That’s the first thing people said to me when I got in the building, ‘Oh my God, you’ll love David’ – and that’s without exception. He is adorable and nothing like Roy.”

Melanie is due to make her debut on Coronation Street on April 20.

Roy Cropper may see some light at the end of his tunnel of grief when Melanie Hill joins the cast of Coronatio Street.

Melanie's best known for roles in classic sitcom Bread, as well as Playing the Field and Waterloo Road.

She said: "I'm chuffed to bits to be joining the cast of my favourite soap. I and my family grew up watching it and to actually be working on it is a dream come true."

She'll be introduced on Coronation Street as Cathy Matthews, who owns an allotment beside Roy and Sharif's plot. They'll strike up a friendship (and more?) through their mutual love of the allotment and the fact they're both grieving recently deceased partners.

Coronation Street producer Stuart Blackburn said: “Recently widowed, Cathy is an engaging yet sometimes chaotic woman. Though her indecision can drive her friends mad, behind the vulnerable front is a woman who truly does have a heart of gold. Gentle, kind and intelligent she has more to offer than she knows and in Roy she'll find a friend who will ultimately bring out the best in her."

Stuart continued: “We are delighted that Melanie Hill has agreed to join us and take on the role. Familiar I'm sure to our audience, Melanie is an incredible actress who I know will soon propel Cathy to the heart of Coronation Street.”

Melanie, who played Cilla's mum in last year's award-winning ITV biopic, will be seen on Coronation Street from late April.

Coronation Street’s David Neilson reveals to Soaplife how Roy comes out swinging with a cricket bat when someone breaks into the cafe - not realising it’s Gary Windass!

Roy Cropper’s supposed to be going to Carla’s on Boxing Night, but instead he’s home alone because he’s worried about the gang of teens hanging around outside the cafe. So when he hears something downstairs, he thinks one of them has broken in. Arming himself with his cricket bat, Roy creeps downstairs. “He sees a figure wearing a hoodie and a red mist descends - someone’s in his space and he doesn’t think twice about hitting the intruder over the head,” David  tells Soaplife. Then he realises he’s beating Gary...

Why didn’t Roy call the police instead of lashing out?

“It’s a split-second thing and calling the police doesn’t enter his head. He’s in the middle of the situation and it’s an instinctive reaction to lash out.”

How does Roy realise it’s Gary (Mikey North) he’s attacking?

“They spill out onto the street. Sinead [Katie McGlynn] sees what’s happening and she yells at Roy to stop. The sound of her voice breaks through the red mist and he stops. The person on the ground rolls over and Roy sees it’s Gary.”

What happens next?

“The police are called and Roy’s in total shock as he realises what’s done. It’s like a Jekyll and Hyde moment. He’s dazed as he tries to make sense of what he’s done.”

Is Roy ashamed?

“He is acutely embarrassed, shocked and, yes, ashamed. He has let himself down and feels he’s let Hayley down, too. He was just minding his own business and suddenly there he is in a police cell. He’s very frightened, too. He realises he’s capable of killing someone and he never thought he would be.”

How does he cope with being questioned by the police?

“He tries to remember what happened and get some clarity. Some people would make excuses to make things easier for themselves, but not Roy. He wants to be locked up for what he's done to Gary.”

How badly hurt is Gary?

“He’s in hospital with his injuries but he’s not seriously hurt. Gary’s very generous towards Roy, considering. He doesn’t wish to press charges. Anna [Debbie Rush] does, though. Roy tells Anna exactly what happened and that he hit Gary repeatedly, even though Gary posed no threat to him. Once Anna hears this, Roy and Anna’s friendship disintegrates.”

It’s a very bleak start to 2015 for Roy!

“True, but the anger he’s been carrying around since Hayley died is lessened now he’s had this outpouring of emotion. He has grieved for 12 months and we may now start to see him come out of that.”

Coronation Street, ITV. Click here for dates and times.

Photos of the storyline in Coronation Street

Coronation Street’s Mikey North tells Soaplife how desperate Gary does something stupid that earns him a beating from Roy...

Gary Windass has had a bad year - and he’s not going to get any peace and goodwill at Christmas… “He’s devastated when Alya [Sair Khan] ends their relationship, gutted when Kal [Jimi Mistry] gives his job to Owen, is rowing with Izzy [Cherylee Houston] about Jake and even having words with his mum,” Mikey reveals to Soaplife.

And then, after a nightmarish Christmas Day, things unexpectedly turn violent when, sick with worry and shame, Gary does something really stupid: he tries to rob Roy (David Neilson)!

What makes Gary desperate enough to rob Roy’s?

“He’s broken Faye’s headphones that she got for Christmas and is desperate for money to replace them, but no one will lend him any. Gary’s mind goes into overdrive - he just knows he needs to do something, anything, to make things right. He spies Anna’s cafe keys and pockets them before he can talk himself out of it.”

But Roy catches him, doesn’t he?

“Gary’s overheard Roy saying he’s going to see Carla [Alison King] on Boxing night and so Gary thinks the cafe will be empty. He doesn’t realise Roy has slipped back in to avoid the teenagers who are hanging around outside. So when he lets himself in, he has no clue Roy is still there. Roy obviously assumes one of the teenagers has broken in and, because he’s frightened, feels he has to protect himself. Roy lashes out with a cricket bat and he doesn’t realise he’s hitting Gary.”

Gary’s badly hurt, isn’t he?

“Gary has to be taken to hospital. He’s injured with a lot of bruises, but he will recover.”

Will he hate Roy for what he’s done?

“No. He wants to protect Roy and he thinks this is all his own doing. Gary resorted to desperate measures and was prepared to rob a family friend. He feels the lowest of the low.”

Coronation Street, ITV. Click here for dates and times

Coronation Street's Julie Hesmondhalgh has said it will break her heart when she sees former on-screen husband Roy Cropper with someone new - and is vetoing her co-star David Neilson's choice of love interest.

Julie exited the ITV soap in January when her character Hayley Cropper, diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, took her own life with husband Roy (David) beside her.

The actress, who played Hayley for 16 years, said of leaving Coronation Street: "I love it when she's mentioned, it's my favourite thing when I'm watching and someone has a collection in Hayley's memory.

"I'm sure at some point Roy will have to try and see someone again and I'm sure he'll have Hayley's blessing and they'll have much discussion about that, so I'll be very happy to live on in conversations in the street."

On how she'd deal with seeing a new woman in Roy's life, Julie admitted: "As Julie, it will kill me, I'll find it very, very difficult, but I think Hayley would give him her blessing. I think she'd want him to live on, as long as it was someone nice."

Asked who it was likely to be, she revealed: "Well, he's after ruddy Liz McDonald, but I don't think that's going to happen, you ask him. He's got his eye on her, keeps pitching it to the writers, they're having none of it."

David said of his character's love life: "He'll get into a relationship... Whether that's a relationship in the accepted sense I don't know.

"I just want to do interesting stories. I don't mind if he builds himself a kalashnikov out of Meccano and takes half the street out, I'll enjoy it."

Julie is now working on Cucumber, a new Channel 4 drama from Russell T Davies, where she plays the sister of a gay man who has a disastrous date night.

She said: "It's great and a lovely bunch of people, but it's scary doing something else after 16 years. When you're doing a drama you're all new, so that's nice, it's not coming into something that's long-established like Corrie, so at least you're all in the same boat, but it's terrifying."

Julie and David won six British Soap Awards between them at the weekend, including Best On-Screen Partnership.

– Press Association

British Soap Awards nominee David Neilson has spoken to us about how he feels working on Coronation Street now that Julie Hesmondhalgh has left.

The actor spoke to whatsontv.co.uk at the annual ceremony, where we asked what it had been like acting on the show without Hesmondhalgh, who starred as his wife Hayley Cropper.

Neilson, who plays Roy Cropper in the ITV soap, said: "It’s been like losing your partner. In terms of adjusting – I still see her. We’ve been out for a drink and surprised a few people!"

On being nominated in for so many awards, Neilson added: "I’m amazed. The one that I would be particularly interested in would be the one with Julie [Best On Screen Partnership], because that actually means something. I think the others – take it or leave it really. But I’d quite like that one because we’ve won it twice before!"

It's Hayley's funeral, but will a grieving Roy be able to hold it together?

A special photo-shoot of Coronation Street's most loveable couple

Having lost all her money in the casino Sylvia suggests to Roy that, with his mathematical brain, he could study blackjack and devise a formula to beat the casino at its own game. Roy agrees and is stirred into action.

When Faye's social worker then starts to question their arrangement Anna decides it's time to change tack. But when she invites Tim round to the house to spend time with Faye Owen hits the roof. Struggling to keep everyone happy, Anna realises she has to sacrifice a relationship.

Fiz is upset by Tyrone's decision and is desperate to talk to him but he sends a visiting order for Tina instead, asking her to pass on a message to Fiz which leaves her reeling.

Also, Kylie and Max are freezing at No.8 whilst Gail smugly heads to Sally's for a hot shower; Worried about her lack of job, Jenna wonders how she's going to pay her rent.