Alison King felt like "a right numpty" when her ‘Coronation Street’ character got together with Daniel Osbourne.
The 45-year-old actress’ returning storyline to the ITV soap after a break saw her alter-ego Carla Connor hook up with younger guy Daniel – played by 26-year-old Rob Mallard – and the former ‘Dream Team’ star admits the plot made her feel old.
She said: "It’s embarrassing isn’t it? I come back off of a two-year break and they’re telling me, ‘You’re old,’ and all of the punters are in the Rovers going, ‘She’s too old for [Daniel].
"I felt like a right numpty."
Alison also admitted she and Rob were both "shaking with nerves" ahead of their kissing scenes together.
She said: "They put you with the youngest boy in town and you just have to get on with it.
"He was shaking with nerves … and so was I.
"It’s harsh to be on this open set and to have [directors] go, ‘Kiss.’
"And everyone’s going, ‘Oh, bless him.’ And I’m like, ‘Bless him? What about me?’ "
Factory boss Carla is known as a no-nonsense character, and Alison has revealed she based part of her alter-ego’s characteristics on her own "very strong" mother.
She added to Acumen magazine: "The age group of the girls who watch and identify with Carla Connor in the UK may believe she has that type of appeal.
"She’s a strong character. Viewers tend to see Carla’s weaknesses as her strengths because she always seems to pull herself out of things.
"I guess, I also pull some inspiration for Carla’s character from my mum, who is a very strong woman."
Alison King felt like ‘a right numpty’ over Corrie plot
