REAL LIFE Coronation Street couple reveal WHY on-screen romance would be a 'disaster'

Coronation Street
(Image credit: ITV)

Here's why you won't be seeing Tim Metcalfe and Abi Franklin hooking up any time soon...

Coronation Street star Joe Duttine has admitted that sharing a romance on-screen with real life fiancee Sally Carman would be a 'disaster'.

Joe, who is better known to soap fans as Weatherfield's Tim Metcalfe got engaged to Sally Carman, who plays Abi Franklin in March.

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Coronation Street actors Joe and Sally, better known as Weatherfield's Tim and Abi, are engaged in real life (Picture: ITV)

But while they might be planning their own fairytale wedding in real life, that doesn't mean they're hoping for any on-screen romance any time soon.

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Speaking to Inside Soap, Joe said: "That's the last thing me and Sally want. It would be a disaster!

"We would make each other laugh all the time, we wouldn't be able to concentrate - and it would be a little too close to home, wouldn't it?

A photo posted by on

"We don't want that as it's nice to have a life away from the Street. We met at Coronation Street and that's always going to be special for us, but we don't want to act it out on screen."

Social distancing nightmare 

Joe's comments come after social distancing restrictions mean soaps are no longer able to show on-screen couples kissing or hugging.

The only time that this would be allowed is if the actors were in a romance off screen as well as on.

A photo posted by on

Rocky romance for Tim and Sally

Coronation Street fans will know that Joe's character, Tim, is currently going through a tough patch in his relationship with Sally Metcalfe.

Tim's dad, Geoff (Ian Bartholomew) has been abusing wife Yasmeen (Shelley King) for the last year, and now that the truth is starting to come out, Tim refuses to believe his dad is capable of such vile acts.

However, Sally is firmly team Yasmeen, which is driving a wedge between the couple.

Joe admitted that despite their differences at the moment, he believes Sally and Tim's relationship can stand the test of time...

Sally and Tim in Coronation Street

Tim and Sally's relationship is under pressure thanks to Geoff's abusive nature (Picture: ITV) (Image credit: ITV)

"Tim and Sally have plenty of problems that they (the writers) can get drama from, but they don't necessarily involve splitting up."

Coronation Street will temporarily air a reduced schedule of three episodes a week.

Watch on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm on ITV. 

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 


After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off


She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 


As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.