Coronation Street newcomer Gwen Taylor has explained her character Anne Foster's loyal support of her rapist son Frank.

Carla Connor (Alison King) was sexually attacked by Frank (Andrew Lancel) after she called off their wedding last month. Next week's episodes see the businesswoman's ordeal continue as Anne is installed at Underworld to protect her son's interests at the factory, making Carla's life a misery.

Taylor told TV Choice of the storyline: "In Anne's eyes, Frank can do no wrong. She'll do whatever it takes to protect him. If he tells her he didn't do it, then he didn't do it.

"There are plenty of mums out there like that. When the recent riots happened, some women refused point blank to believe their children had been involved. So mums can be a pretty loyal bunch, for good or ill."

Taylor admitted that she found her first day at Coronation Street "terrifying" but quickly settled in on set.

"I was a bit gobsmacked to begin with because, like most people who watch the show, the characters feel like they're somehow part of your life," she explained. "I found it strange being with them all, but it's getting better as I'm getting to know the actors.

"Ali King is a lovely woman. It's hard to have an argument with her because she's so sweet. We'll just have had a nice conversation in the green room and then I have to go on screen and tear her to bits."