Sally Carman-Duttine understands how to maintain the equilibrium between her professional and private life – by steering clear of her husband Joe on the Corrie set.
The Coronation Street actress has been a familiar presence on the ITV soap since 2017. So it comes as no shock that she’s built numerous friendships since her arrival.
Sally Carman-Duttine counts Michael Le Vell, who portrays on-screen spouse Kevin, Jonathan Howard, who plays Carl, and Vicky Myers, known as Lisa Swain, amongst her dearest mates on the Manchester-based show.
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However, regardless of what she’s occupied with at work, Sally confesses there’s one colleague she’d prefer to dodge – her real-life partner Joe Duttine, who depicts taxi driver Tim Metcalfe.
“We stay away from each other as much as possible,” Sally says. “We barely have any scenes together which is exactly the way I want it!”.
Abi and Carl’s affair could soon be exposed – but will Tyrone be the one to out them?
Next week, it appears Tyrone might be the one to expose their secret completely. “Abi’s torn because she loves Kevin very much but she’s massively in lust with Carl,” Sally says.
“Certainly for Abi, it’s turning into love. She’s completely blinkered right now. Every bit of her is drawn to Carl. She’s so in lust she can’t think straight.”
In forthcoming episodes, Abi abandons all caution. She pretends to have a migraine to avoid working in the garage with Kevin – for a daytime rendezvous with Carl.
The duo find themselves at the police station, where Tyrone, portrayed by Alan Halsall, catches them together. However, the biggest threat might be closer to home as Kevin and Carl’s fiery sister Debbie starts probing.
“There’s a lot going on,” hints Sally, 50. “Debbie is about to get more involved. There’s a lot of interaction where Debbie wants it out in the open. Abi gets it in the neck more than Kevin or Carl.”
Sally says she avoids her husband Joe on the set of Coronation Street -Credit:Jeff Spicer, Getty Images
But it’s not just about who discovers the affair – Abi’s marriage is already teetering on the edge following Kevin’s deceit about his cancer. And the affair coming to light will only make things worse.
“There’s irreversible damage being done,” she reveals. “When it’s revealed that Kevin has been lying about having cancer, it’s a really good excuse for her to jump into bed with Carl.”
This isn’t the first time that Abi has strayed. Fans will recall her one-night stand with the late Imran Habeeb back in 2022, which resulted in the dramatic and premature birth of her son Alfie, now three.
But this time feels different. “With Imran, it was self-punishment,” shares Sally. “Abi hasn’t had a man pursue her like Carl. She’s addictedto that kind of adrenaline – she’s hook, line and sinker with it.”
Caught in the crossfire is Kevin’s son Jack (Kyran Bowes). “Kevin is not shy to put Jack in the middle of it, whether it’s helpful to him or not,” Sally discloses. “Jack is so confused and hurt. That comes out of anger and there’s a lot of backlash.”