This week Corrie favourite Audrey Roberts turns 70, and it looks like she might be jetting off to a new life in Greece with beau Lewis Archer. But as Sue Nicholls tells Suzanne Byrne, nothing ever goes according to plan in soapland.
Since the death of her husband Alf Roberts in 98, Audrey has had plenty of romantic suitors, but none have swept her off her feet like current boyfriend, Lewis Archer. She met the smooth-talking toyboy at a dinner dance, where she also learned of his profession a male escort but that didn't faze her. Well, that was until she found his little black book of clients and realised she was just another punter. Ever the charmer, Lewis managed to worm his way back into her heart with a declaration of his feelings, sealing it with kiss. It took a little while longer for Audrey to believe him, but soon she was under his spell, hanging on his every word and move.
This week the former Mayoress turned hair-dresser, celebrates her 70th birthday in style with Lewis by her side. Just before her surprise party in the Rovers she tells him she wants to make his romantic notion of retiring to Greece a reality but was Lewis really serious? As we all know there's more going on with Lewis than meets the eye. Gail has also picked up on it and Claudia certainly doesn't approve of their relationship. And as Sue Nicholls tells it, when Audrey makes her big announcement at the party there are some harsh words said and secrets revealed...
Audrey appears to be head over heels in love with Lewis? Is she finally feeling secure in their relationship?
Yes, I think she has obliterated any negative thoughts about it long ago. She has completely fallen for his charms, so anything bad anybody has to say to her about him just goes over her head. She's reached an age where she wants a quieter life and somewhere hot like Greece sounds very appealing. She is rather taken with his romantic idea of setting up a hotel on Greek island, living the glamorous life. And she's so wrapped up with him that she has no qualms about selling her house and leaving the business.
Before she suggests they head off to the sun, she asks him to move in with her, but that doesn't go too well...
No, it doesn't really. He kind of brushes her off a bit, but eventually agrees. And then in his usual charming style he brings her breakfast in bed on her birthday, which she adores him for. He's clever like that, he knows how to bring the balance back to the relationship. But in Audrey's mind it was just a sweet gesture of his love. My husband brings me breakfast on any day, well except when I have a 5am start!
Does she pick up on any of the doubts Lewis is having about them packing up and leaving Weatherfield?
Well it's only the audience that know he's having doubts and acting quite shifty. But she does say to him "Lewis we've got to do this totally, or not at all" and he says "Fine". Obviously alarm bells are going off in his head and he's thinking about what he's got himself into. But you'll have to wait and see what happens you never know, we may have filmed two endings to keep everyone guessing. I would love to see them with a happy ending where they jet off to Greece - it leaves it open for a spin-off show. Nigel and I and the crew would just love that. In fact we've talked about it quite a lot and at one point I even said I would finance it - but I think it might have been after a few drinks!
Do you think Natasha only organised a surprise party for Audrey because she wants to get her hands on the salon?
Yes, although I do think some of it was with the goodness of her heart and to impress Nick. Maria arrives back to the Street in time for the party and soon my girls are really vying for my attention - which David gets a real kick out of. I think when Audrey gets over the initial shock of seeing the 'Hello 70' banner she really enjoys herself....well until the end.
Is that because Claudia shows up?
Yes, she a little bit like the wicked witch isn't she - it's great fun. In my head Claudia is that friend you know is always going to be a pain. She's the one who says the wrong thing, is always trying to out do you and has a habit of saying really horrid things even though she thinks they're a joke. But I think in a funny way they really do get on. She gets quite drunk at the party and when Audrey makes her announcement she has no qualms about filling Gail in on Lewis' past.
How does Gail react to this sordid revelation?
Well, Gail could never spell out why she didn't like Lewis - but now she has a reason and it all kicks off. It's a good old public row that that leaves Audrey feeling totally and utterly mortified now that everybody knows her business. Everybody can see she is making a mistake, the audience can she is making a mistake, but I don't think there is a mistake. Audrey knew what she was getting into; she just didn't want everyone else to know. So now she hides herself away and because of her embarrassment, moving away to a different country sounds more appealing by the minute.
Does Audrey blame Lewis for her showdown with Gail?
All along Lewis has played a very straight act to Audrey and she hasn't seen any of his shiftiness. He is very attentive, he listens to her, he's very sweet and loving and always says the right things. She doesn't blame him at all. She's on cloud nine. She's totally excited to be going abroad with him, so much so that she has given £100,000 to put down as a deposit on the hotel she wants to buy.
Do you think Audrey is being a bit of a fool for trusting him so easily, given his history with women?
You know looking at it from Audrey's eyes this is a romantic, lovely story about an elderly lady who has lost her heart to a younger, good-looking and very charming man. As the audience can see everything else that is going on, it probably has everybody rolling around with laughter - which upsets me, because I have being trying to play it very real. I hope it's coming across as touching as I want it to be.
If you were a friend of Audrey's would you have stepped in at this point?
All of Audrey's friends are smitten with him, so I think I would be too - he's got the charm of the devil. Rita fell for him, but she was sensible about taking a step back when she realised the extent of Audrey's feeling for him. Deirdre is bowled over by him, as we know. It's only Claudia really who has the measure of him and that's because she knows his past.
What has it been like working with Rula Lenska, who plays Claudia?
It's been a dream - she absolutely lovely and charming. The funny thing is in the past people have told me I look like Rula, I think it is because we are both tall and slim. And then when she came to set she told me that people told her that she looks like me! I think it's our good hair.
Suzanne Byrne
