Becky Hindley has admitted that she was stunned when she discovered that her Coronation Street character Charlotte Hoyle had been secretly tormenting John Stape.

Last Friday, it was revealed to viewers that Charlotte is the person responsible for the threatening letters and silent phone calls which have left John spooked in recent weeks.

However, speaking to Corrie's official website, Hindley confessed that she was unaware of what was in store until she read the script for the reveal episode.

The actress commented: "Now that the stalker's been revealed, I personally may have been a bit thick - but I had no idea that it was Charlotte!

"You only find out what happens to your character when your script arrives on your doorstep, so it was quite a surprise but brilliant!"

She added: "John has no idea that Charlotte's the stalker, so she's going to make that go on and on and on and on and on and on - as long as she possibly can! She has so much more up her sleeve - it's absolutely brilliant!"

Charlotte and John (Graeme Hawley) have become confidantes on screen following their involvement in the death of Colin Fishwick and the concealment of his body.