Coronation Street's Sally Webster is left humiliated this week as she finally sees evil Frank Foster's true colours.
Sally has loyally stood by Frank (Andrew Lancel) throughout his recent rape trial and factory dramas, losing friends and allies in the process. However, she's about to receive a nasty surprise as she discovers that the businessman is planning to sack the entire Underworld workforce, wanting to outsource production.
The shocks don't end there, though, as Sally also learns that Frank has been cheating on her with business contact Jenny (Niky Wardley).
Furious over Frank's antics, Sally immediately threatens to expose his plans for the factory, but he warns that the last woman who crossed him lived to regret it. Realising he's admitting to raping Carla, what will Sally do next?
Digital Spy recently chatted to actress Sally Dynevor, who plays Sally, to hear all about the storyline.
How have you found the Sally and Frank storyline?
"I've really enjoyed it, especially on days when we've been filming at Frank's house, because it feels very different to filming on the set of Coronation Street. Sometimes it's quite nice to get away to somewhere new. Also, working with Andrew Lancel and Gwen Taylor has been fantastic. The storyline has been a real treat."
Sally and Frank have some big scenes on the way this week, don't they?
"Yes, it's all about to come crashing down. Frank is very clever, very charming and very manipulative, so he's been able to tell Sally all the things that she wanted to hear. Frank needed Sally through the rape trial, but now that he's been acquitted, he doesn't really need her anymore.
"This week, things unravel and Sally discovers that Frank's really not the man that she thought he was. She realises that she's been really stupid to fall for everything - it's another man that she's fallen into evil ways for!"
How difficult is that for Sally? Was she in love with Frank?
"I think Sally certainly thought she was in love with him, and of course she loved his power, his money and his authority. I think she also saw the relationship as a way of running the factory, which she's always wanted to do! So when it all comes tumbling down, it's really difficult for Sally."
How does Sally feel when Frank makes it clear that he did rape Carla?
"Sally is devastated and she feels like a complete fool, because she's backed him for so long - and that's not something that she did lightly. She's alienated everybody on Coronation Street to be with Frank, but then she finds out that he was lying all along.
"Sally tries to stand up to Frank and hold her own, but then some of his comments towards her get a little bit scary. Then she's absolutely terrified of him, because she realises that he's quite evil. It's a complete shock to her."
Does Sally feel bad for doubting Carla?
"Sally feels really guilty. You'll see lots of scenes coming up where Sally is telling Carla that she feels really bad, and she can't believe that Carla is being so nice about it. Sally even tries to make amends by going into the factory buying cakes for everybody!
"She also has a little breakdown, because Fiz comes round and says that she's there for Sally if she needs somebody. Sally doesn't think she deserves any kindness from anyone, and she can't believe how nice everyone is being to her."
It's no secret that Sally will be one of the suspects when Frank is murdered next week. Do you think Sally is capable of killing someone?
"I don't think she's capable of planning a murder, but I think she could be capable of losing control during an argument - and things could go wrong because of that. I could see Sally getting very angry with Frank, knowing what she knows now. That could mean that she is capable of killing him…"
Kevin is also a suspect in the case, isn't he?
"Yes, and he looks guilty because he's been threatening to go and kill Frank. And of course, Kevin has lost so much in the last 12 months, that it might not be a surprise if he's gone and done it."
Was it sad to say goodbye to Andrew Lancel when he finished filming?
"It was really sad! I got on with Andrew very, very well. I've really enjoyed the whole storyline, because Andrew and Gwen Taylor have been exceptional to work with and so professional. I actually think I've learned a lot from both of them. You change with whoever you're working with, so with some of the Sally and Frank scenes, I've not done scenes like that with anyone else."
On a separate note, do you think Sally and Kevin are meant to be together?
"I do think they're soul mates. They've had their ups and downs, but they come from the same place and they're similar people. Sally is just a bit desperate to be in a position of power, and I think she probably has got quite a good business brain. But she's more suited to be with somebody like Kevin than she ever would be with a businessman.
"Deep down, Sally is probably happier and more secure with Kevin than with anybody else. She keeps trying these relationships and realising that, actually, the grass isn't greener on the other side. Kevin has got a great heart and he loves Sally, so I think she will eventually get back with him, because she wants that stability."
How are you finding life at Corrie in general?
"It's great to get such fantastic storylines. Every time I'm told what my next story is, I get really excited. When I found out about the Frank story, I was over the moon. Where else in television would you get such fantastic stories? For me, I'm really grateful to Coronation Street - I've had a fantastic 26 years full of fabulous stories. I just hope it continues."
Sally is such a flawed character, but is that part of the joy of playing her?
"Yes, absolutely. What's brilliant about playing Sally is that you're exploring so many different avenues with her, and she has got so many flaws. If she was just a really kind, lovely person, there probably wouldn't be many stories for her! I've really enjoyed making Sally quite complex.
"When you're watching the show, one minute you might think, 'Oh, she's nice - I like Sally', but the next minute you go, 'Oh my God, I hate that character - she's horrible!' That's what's so great about picking up scripts where she's being really bitchy - I absolutely love doing that! It's much more fun to play a baddie than the nice housewife, that's for sure."
Corrie has been doing really well in the ratings recently, and the show has picked up some big soap awards too. Is there a buzz on set at the moment?
"Yes, there is. I think it started when our producer Phil Collinson came in and we had the tram crash - that was all very, very exciting. And I was so proud of the live episode - I just thought that was an amazing achievement by cast and crew.
"We keep imagining that it's going to stop, but it doesn't - there's always another really good story around the corner. Long may it continue, because there's some fantastic twists and turns in Corrie at the moment. I think the show is on top form."
