Eileen Grimshaw

[Perdita]

Tony Hirst has revealed that he wants a Weatherfield wedding before he leaves the cobbles.

The actor will be bowing out from his role as Paul Kershaw this year, but hopes the firefighter will have time to marry fiancée Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver) before he goes.

Asked whether the pair will tie the knot on ITV's Loose Women today (March 28), Hirst replied: "I would hope so! We're engaged. I've put a ring on her finger - what more does she want?

"Whether we do or not, I don't know - you'll have to stay tuned."

Hirst also confirmed that there are tough times ahead for Paul and Eileen as the aftermath of the Rovers Return fire continues to take a toll on their relationship.

After getting a glimpse of the danger Paul faces on a daily basis, Eileen becomes paranoid and fearful about him returning to work.

Hirst explained: "Having seen what Paul does and the dangers that he faces when he goes into a fire, that's going to be a struggle for Eileen."

The dramatic blaze scenes saw Paul and his work colleague Toni Griffiths trying to save those trapped in the pub without proper back-up. Tragically, Toni lost her life as she embarked on the rescue attempt.

Hirst discussed the storyline with real-life firefighters and learned that such situations are common.

He said: "The reason a lot of firefighters get injured or killed is because they get pressurised into situations by the public… They were saying it's a really common situation that when they go to a fire, the public are there going, 'Do something'. They're compelled to do something, but it's a really dangerous situation for them."

Coronation Street continues tomorrow (March 29) at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.

[Katy]

Paul's getting on my nerves, he's back to apologising every episode.

[Perdita]

Eileen Grimshaw will ask fiancé Paul Kershaw to choose between their relationship and his job in a forthcoming storyline.

Eileen (Sue Cleaver) issues the ultimatum to Paul as she can no longer cope with the stress of him working as a firefighter.

Although Eileen has always supported Paul's job, she is plagued by paranoia and fear in the aftermath of the recent Rovers Return fire.

Having now seen the reality of Paul's work first-hand, Eileen is desperate to make sure that he doesn't suffer the same fate as his colleague Toni Griffiths, who died in the pub blaze.

Paul is also finding his return to work challenging, but Eileen's fears make it difficult for him to confide in her.

Tony Hirst, who plays Paul, told itv.com: "Her concerns are very genuine, and they are made greater by what she has seen. I don't know that she mistrusts him, she just feels completely out of control.

"She's a strong woman who isn't used to not having a grip on things. But it does mean he struggles to confide in her over his fears."

On Eileen's insistence that Paul should quit, the actor added: "I don't think he's prepared to compromise on this. He tells her that it's in his blood, pure and simple.

"What he means by that is that it's all he knows. It's his family, at the end of the day. If he's busy protecting Eileen and not being able to open up to her about his own feelings, then he needs the service even more."

Hirst will be leaving Coronation Street later this year.

[parkerman]

Hirst will be leaving Coronation Street later this year.

Not before time!

[parkerman]

Hirst will be leaving Coronation Street later this year.

Not before time!

[Katy]

Thank god for that, he his ruining episodes at the moment, I'm sick of his moaning.

[LostVoodoo]

Thank god for that, he his ruining episodes at the moment, I'm sick of his moaning.

Yeah, he's only witnessed the traumatic death of his colleague - he should really lighten up!

[LostVoodoo]

Thank god for that, he his ruining episodes at the moment, I'm sick of his moaning.

Yeah, he's only witnessed the traumatic death of his colleague - he should really lighten up!

[Katy]

I know and I get that, I just don't like him as an actor. Not sure about his pairing with Eileen as she used to be a good character and I think Paul ruins her.

[Perdita]

Sue Cleaver has claimed that her character Eileen Grimshaw only has herself to blame for her disastrous love life.

Eileen has never been lucky when it comes to romance, and it doesn't look like this will change anytime soon as she risks her own future with firefighter Paul Kershaw in this week's episodes.

Frantic with worry over Paul returning to work after the Rovers Return fire, Eileen insists that he will have to choose between her and his job.

Cleaver told itv.com: "Paul and Eileen have been very stressed recently. We've had a major fire on the street, he had a massive involvement and his colleague has died. So Eileen has suddenly become very, very aware that his role is creating a lot of problems for her."

She continued: "Eileen wants Paul to choose between her and his job as a fireman, which puts him in a terrible dilemma because it's in his blood.

"She never has luck with men, but I've started to realise with Eileen, it's about her and not the men, really! Eileen's only happy when she's not happy, it seems!"

Fans know that Tony Hirst, who plays Paul, is leaving Coronation Street this year. However, Cleaver stayed tight-lipped about whether this is the issue which will tear them apart for good.

She said: "Could this be the end of Paul and Eileen? You'll have to wait and see, won't you?"

Coronation Street continues tonight (April 8) at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.