Claire Sweeney has teased what’s ahead for her Coronation Street character Cassie Plummer, following the conclusion of her storyline involving Ken Barlow (William Roache).

In order for Ken to become more dependant on her, Cassie started lacing his drinks with drugs. This left him developing concerning symptoms that suggested he was unwell, but for months she was able to get away with the crime.

Things changed for Cassie this week, when Ken finally realised what was going on and she was arrested.

‘I do think she genuinely cares for Ken’, Claire Sweeney said, reflecting on this plot.

‘I’ve said this before, it’s almost like a Pygmalion/My Fair Lady relationship with them. He teaches her things, he takes her to the opera, he teaches her about wine, they’ve been to Portugal together. They actually laugh together and they really, really care for each other.

‘It’s just keep him a little bit sleepy and then he needs her. There was one point after the holiday when he did say to her, “I’m quite able now, I don’t need you any more,” and she went into survival mode.’

She added: ‘You’ve got to look at Cassie’s history. She’s had no one take care of her. She was a prostitute at one point, she’s been abused, her mum didn’t really want to know her. Her mum used to step in and save her at her worst moments with the drugs and stuff, she was there for her, but she’s pretty much a survivor. With Ken, it’s not just Ken it’s a lifestyle.’

Looking ahead, Claire revealed that she hopes Cassie will be involved in a redemption storyline, and has also teased some moving scenes with Ken Barlow, who will no doubt need a lot of time to process what Cassie was doing to him.

‘Bill Roache, in the scenes that we’re going to see, it’s an award-winning performance’, she explained.

‘He literally made me cry, he was so wonderful. To do those scenes with Bill, who’s a legend on screen, he was just sensational. There was one scene where he did this very dramatic scene and at the end the crew, there was silence and then he got a round of applause. I came away and said, “I can’t believe what I’ve just seen,” I was tearful. He’s wonderful.

‘I hope he gets recognised for this, he’s brilliant. That was great, to do that with Bill Roache.’

The star pondered: ‘There has to be a redemption arc with her, there’s got to be vulnerabilities, there’s got to be some sort of comeuppance for everything she’s done, otherwise it’s just a bit kind of black and white, really.

‘You see the vulnerabilities, you see the scenes where she’s explaining to Ken her reasons, her motives. She’s prepared to take the consequences on the nose, but look at the reasons she’s actually done it.’

With Cassie’s little life at Number 1 falling apart as a result of her own choices, Claire wants one person in particular to help her soap alter-ego out.

‘I can’t tell you how much I love working with Si Gregson. He is hysterical, he’s a laugh a minute. He’s a kind soul and he’s an absolute joy, it’s not like going to work, he makes me laugh. I adore him. I would love for them [Steve and Cassie] to end up together.

Claire smiled: ‘There’s so much fun in the scenes with them. Cassie could have been doing some evil stuff and thinking terrible things but the minute he comes she turns into a giggly teenager. He just strips all of this away from her and it’s really very genuine.

‘They just can’t help themselves. It’s literally forbidden fruit, he should not be going near Cassie. No one’s talking to Cassie, she’s a pariah, persona non grata on the cobbles and suddenly he can’t help himself, he literally can’t. It’s lust, but with genuine fondness and love as well.’