*Coronation Street* star Sally Carman, who plays the troubled Abi Webster,
has addressed the possibility of her character embarking on an affair with her real-life husband Joe Duttine’s on-screen counterpart, Tim Metcalfe.
While fans are already anticipating that Abi’s storyline will soon involve a tempting situation,
Carman has made it clear that an on-screen romance between her character and Tim is out of the question.
Abi’s life is in turmoil following the death of Mason Radcliffe, which has deeply affected her.
As she grapples with her emotions, memories of the violent death of her son Seb Franklin resurface, intensifying her grief.
On top of that, Abi’s husband, Kevin Webster, is facing a cancer diagnosis, further putting strain on their already rocky relationship. As a result, Abi finds herself drawn to a mysterious new love interest, setting the stage for potential infidelity.
In an interview with *Inside Soap*, Carman admitted that the temptation Abi faces is compelling. She explained that, due to Abi’s tumultuous past filled with loss and sorrow, the new attraction serves as a tempting distraction. “As an actor, brilliant! I thought, ‘Would Abi do that?’ and actually, yes, she is a bit of a wildcard,” she said. “The pull and temptation is just too much for her, and it reminds Abi of being young. There’s been a lot of sadness and loss in her life, and this may serve as a distraction from that. It’s too irresistible for her.”
However, when it comes to the idea of her real-life husband Joe’s character Tim being the one to tempt Abi, Carman quickly shut it down. She firmly stated, “I can tell you, [Abi’s new love interest] is definitely not him!” She further joked that if producers ever suggested such a storyline, she would immediately object, calling it a “nightmare.” She went on to describe the challenges of working with her husband on-screen, humorously admitting that their few scenes together have been filled with awkwardness due to their lack of chemistry. “Joe has such a twinkle in his eye that I’d be laughing all the time, and it wouldn’t work,” she said. “The few scenes that we’ve had together have been so bad; I’m just so hopeless. There’s no chemistry between us, bizarrely!”
The real-life married couple met while working together on *Coronation Street* and tied the knot in 2022. In an interesting twist, their characters are also part of an intricate love triangle on the show. While Sally’s character Abi is married to Kevin Webster (played by Michael Le Vell), Kevin’s ex-wife, Sally Metcalfe (played by Sally Dynevor), is married to Tim Metcalfe, the character portrayed by Joe Duttine. This complicated family dynamic has created a unique situation for Carman and Duttine, both on and off-screen.
As for Abi’s future, fans can expect her relationship with Kevin to be tested as her attraction to the mystery man grows. The storyline promises to explore themes of temptation, grief, and infidelity, as Abi’s emotional turmoil drives her towards choices she may later regret.
In her personal life, Sally is also a stepmother to Joe’s three children from a previous relationship, further adding complexity to their real-life connection. Despite the challenges that come with blending families, the couple maintains a strong relationship both on and off the screen.
With the upcoming episodes likely to delve deeper into Abi’s struggles, the audience will be watching closely to see how she handles the pull between her troubled marriage and the new romantic temptation. However, it’s clear that if she does stray from Kevin, it won’t be with Tim Metcalfe, much to the relief of fans who wouldn’t want to see the charming duo play out such a scenario.
While the drama around Abi’s love life continues to unfold, Carman has made it abundantly clear that her off-screen bond with Joe will remain separate from their professional lives. As *Coronation Street* viewers know, when it comes to love and betrayal, anything can happen, but one thing is certain: Joe Duttine’s Tim won’t be the one to break Abi’s heart.