Michelle Collins and John Michie join as Stella and Karl

[alan45]

Will ITV stop at nothing in forcing the useless and unliked characters down our throats. Since the arrival of Ms Collins and her brood she has featured in every major storyline going. For someone who has only recently arrived in the street she seems to have to stick her nose into everyones business and giving them the benefit of her advice. Rubbish character

[alan45]

Coronation Street fans have seen a whole new side to Karl Munro in recent weeks as his desire to win back Stella Price has driven him to shocking measures.

Last week, over 10 million viewers watched Karl set fire to the Rovers Return in a desperate bid to sabotage Stella's relationship with Jason Grimshaw. The destructive blaze led to the death of firefighter Toni Griffiths, while Sunita Alahan remains critically ill in hospital after being caught up in the incident.

We recently chatted to John Michie, who plays Karl, to hear his thoughts on his character's recent antics and where things go from here.

How do you feel about Karl turning to the dark side?
"Well, the first thing is that it's really interesting to play. Karl now has these strange thoughts in his mind all the time. There's a lot more going on in Karl's head, so I'm enjoying that side of it.

"I suppose it's also enjoyable because it creates great situations with the other characters. At the moment, the audience knows what's going on but the other characters don't, and I think that's always fun for the viewers."

Were you surprised at this change in direction for Karl, or do you think this dark side was always lurking beneath the surface?
"I was surprised, because it was quite a radical and quick change, but I think it was always beneath the surface in some ways. For example, Karl thought it would be acceptable for him to go and have an affair, but not for Stella to move on with somebody else. As soon as Stella was with Jason - who's the type of person Karl used to be 20 years ago - then the jealousy and the middle aged angst all kicked in, and he just had to get his woman back.

"I can see that Karl would want to get Stella back at any cost, but the cost has been much, much greater than he thought. He wouldn't ever have wanted to be responsible for anyone's death, but he's in a situation where he is, because Toni has just passed away. Karl is finding that very hard to deal with, but he's just selfishly surviving as best he can."

Did you have much prior warning that Karl would start the fire?
"Yeah, I knew in advance that Karl would end up starting the fire and that he'd be driven to desperation in his attempts to kill the relationship between Stella and Jason. Once I knew what was coming, I had to try to build up the thoughts of the character to make that believable."

With Sunita fighting for her life in hospital, is Karl actively hoping that she will die?
"It's strange, because like I said, Karl doesn't want to be responsible for anyone's death. However, at the same time, he knows that Sunita has the knowledge to put him down. If she exposes what he's done, he'll go away for a long time - if not for life. Karl is struggling within himself and he is prepared to let Sunita go to save himself."

Have you had much reaction or feedback from Corrie fans since we saw Karl start the fire?
"Mostly it's been from people saying that the show is really buzzing at the moment. They've been really excited by watching it. Obviously there's a bit of a negative response from some people when you're playing a villainous character! (Laughs.) But you just have to let that go over your head. The general response is just that people are loving the show."

Will Karl find it easy or difficult to hide his guilt as the story moves forward?
"Karl's an operator - he always has been and always will be! He actually doesn't find it that hard to physically hide his guilt. The only thing is that he is suffering incredible emotional turmoil from the guilt that he feels."

That guilt must be particularly difficult for Karl to handle when he sees Dev and the kids…
"Really, really difficult! I just imagine Karl crying at night with the devastation that he's brought onto that family, and that's the hardest thing for him."

With Jason suspecting that Karl started the fire, can we expect more tension between those two?
"Jason tries to wind Karl up a bit, which is a bit dangerous considering the state that Karl's in! He's definitely someone who Karl is beginning to hate more and more. I think Jason needs to watch his step!"

Do you think Karl is becoming irredeemable, or does he still have some redeeming qualities?
"I always play it so that Karl does have redeeming qualities - he's just caught up in events. The trouble is how serious those events are, so we'll have to wait and see whether he can stay in the show or not. Obviously there has to be some moral retribution.

"I actually don't know myself how villainous Karl will become. Whether he'll ramp up his campaign to keep Stella at whatever cost, I don't know. I'll have to wait and see what the writers come up with!"

Karl and Stella will soon start growing closer again. Is Karl making the moves on her, or is it more of a mutual thing?
"Karl is definitely making the moves on Stella, in a slightly obsessive way. He's trying hard to calm himself and be as normal as possible. However, because he's in such an emotional state, he finds it hard to approach Stella in a natural, normal way."


If Karl did get Stella back, would he treat her better this time around?
"Definitely. Well, that's his intention anyway!"

Will Eva warm to Karl now?
"Yes, Eva comes round to seeing Karl as a potential stepfather who she can get along with. In the past, Eva and Karl have always disliked each other, mainly because they've been vying for attention from Stella. But Eva thinks that her mum needs a good man, and she's starting to think that maybe Karl is the right person for Stella after all, so she chills out a lot.

"Leanne, on the other hand, goes the other way and is very suspicious of Karl, his motives and him generally!"

How do you feel about being nominated for 'Best Actor' and 'Villain of the Year' at the British Soap Awards?
"It's great to be nominated. It's always good as an actor to have your work recognised, so I'm really, really chuffed. The other two Corrie guys who are up for 'Best Actor' - Alan [Halsall] and Jimmi [Harkishin] - are good mates of mine, so it'll be good fun.

"I've been to the Soap Awards once before and I remember that I had such a ball. It's a great night out."

Is there anything you'd say for why our readers should be backing Corrie in the voting this year?
"Well, it's the only soap that I've ever watched. I've dipped into it all my life. I think it's the writing - the writing team here at Corrie are fantastic. We've got very, very strong writers who tend to stay here for a long time, because they love the show. Of all the shows that I've worked on, this is definitely the happiest bunch of people that I've ever worked with.

"The writing is everything on this show - all of us are only as good as the writing. I would definitely doff my cap to the writers!"

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star John Michie has revealed that Leanne will become suspicious of Karl's motives.

Last week, viewers saw Karl set fire to the Rovers Return in a desperate bid to sabotage Stella's relationship with Jason Grimshaw. The destructive blaze led to the death of firefighter Toni Griffiths, while Sunita Alahan remains critically ill in hospital.

Stella and Karl will start growing closer again next week, with even Eva beginning to warm to Karl since he has been hailed a hero for rescuing her mum from the fire. However, Leanne will not be so trusting of him.

Speaking to Digital Spy, Michie said: "Eva comes round to seeing Karl as a potential stepfather who she can get along with.

"In the past, Eva and Karl have always disliked each other, mainly because they've been vying for attention from Stella. But Eva thinks that her mum needs a good man, and she's starting to think that maybe Karl is the right person for Stella after all, so she chills out a lot.

"Leanne, on the other hand, goes the other way and is very suspicious of Karl, his motives and him generally!"

Michie also revealed that he is enjoying playing a darker side to Karl.

He added: "It's really interesting to play. Karl now has these strange thoughts in his mind all the time. There's a lot more going on in Karl's head, so I'm enjoying that side of it.

"I suppose it's also enjoyable because it creates great situations with the other characters. At the moment, the audience knows what's going on but the other characters don't, and I think that's always fun for the viewers."

[tammyy2j]

It will probably drag on for a year or two ending with Peter saving Leanne just as Karl is trying to kill her for discovering the truth

[parkerman]

It will probably drag on for a year or two ending with Peter saving Leanne just as Karl is trying to kill her for discovering the truth

In an explosive Christmas Day episode that will rock the cobbles.

[parkerman]

It will probably drag on for a year or two ending with Peter saving Leanne just as Karl is trying to kill her for discovering the truth

In an explosive Christmas Day episode that will rock the cobbles.

[Perdita]

Coronation Street's Stella Price may be forced to sell off a 50% share of the Rovers Return in order to reopen it in an upcoming storyline.

The landlady - who was injured in last month's fire at the pub - will turn to builder Owen Armstrong (Ian Puleston-Davies) for help, the Daily Star reports.

Viewers will see Stella, played by Michelle Collins, face a tough decision when she is discharged from hospital and realises the extent of the damage at the Rovers.

The cost of getting the pub open again will force Stella to consider going into partnership with someone.

Owen is employed to repair the damage, upon which Stella makes him an offer.

In scenes to be aired this month, Owen tells Stella: "Let me get this right, are you saying to me that if I cancel your debt and finish the repairs you'll give me half of the Rovers?"

"I've already got a business. How do I pay for all the materials and the lads?" Stella admits: "It's the only solution I can think of. Maybe you could ask the bank for a loan?

"They might say yes if they know you're investing in a second business. That's all I can offer you, I'm doing my best here - do you think I want to lose half my profit?"

It is rumoured that Owen will refuse to give Stella an answer, leaving the future of the ITV soap's iconic pub in doubt.

Recent rumours have suggested that Michelle Connor (Kym Lomas) will become the new landlady at the pub when it reopens.

A show insider said: "Stella has got her back against the wall.

"Owen is offered the deal first but if Michelle is set to be the new landlady then maybe Stella goes into business with her instead.

"Only time will tell."

[Katy]

Maybe Steve will buy it back and make Michelle the landlady.

[Perdita]

Michelle Collins has revealed that her character Stella Price refuses to be pushed around by daughter Leanne Tilsley in an upcoming storyline.

Stella is in dire need of financial help from Leanne (Jane Danson) next week, as her insurance company decides not to pay out for repair work at the Rovers Return following the recent fire.

Leanne is happy to help her mum, but adds a shock condition to the mix by ordering her to dump Karl Munro (John Michie) if she wants the cash.

Corrie fans know that Leanne doesn't trust Karl and is looking for any way to get him out of Stella's life again.

Collins told All About Soap of Stella's troubles: "It's not looking good. Her insurance company is refusing to pay out because it seems Sunita started the fire, and she used keys to get into The Rovers - and if so, that means Stella hadn't stored the keys in a safe place.

"Stella's horrified, because she has already had Owen doing the refit work and she owes him thousands.

"Leanne's not happy about Stella and Karl being back together, or Karl being involved with the pub. Leanne says she will help Stella, but only if Karl is not on the scene. Basically, she's telling Stella to dump Karl in exchange for the money!"

The actress added: "She will not be blackmailed! She tells Leanne to stick her money. The thing is, Stella loves Karl and because he saved her life, she's totally blind to all his faults. She doesn't want to listen to anyone who tries to remind her of all the things he did to her."

Coronation Street continues tomorrow (April 24) at 7.30pm on ITV.

[parkerman]

Crickey! Looks like another big storyline for St Ella. Who'd have thought it?