Corrie: Sue Johnston joined the show to be near her grandson, and Ian Puleston Davies talks hot headed Owen

Plus new teasers and spoilers for August episodes

We’ll begin today’s news from Weatherfield with a report in TV Biz which states that newcomer Sue Johnston – who is to play the role of Stella Price’s mother, Gloria – took the new job in order to be nearer to her grandson.

Sue, who of course formerly starred in The Royle Family, told the paper, “My son lives in Manchester and he’s just had my first grandchild.

“So it made sense to be working where the baby is.”

Sue also confirmed recent speculation that her character will be a battleaxe, and therefore rather like legendary Corrie characters Blanche Hunt and Ena Sharples.

Of that, Sue said, “Gloria doesn’t endear herself to everyone – she’s a real Coronation Street matriarch.”

And finally, on the subject of The Royle Family, Sue confirmed that there would be a special episode this Christmas. Fans may recall there was to have been one last Christmas, but Caroline Aherne and Craig Cash didn’t finish writing it in time.

However, Sue said, “It’s definitely happening this year.”

Wooppee!

In other news, Ian Puleston-Davies has revealed that he likes the “pressure cooker” existence of his Coronation Street character, Owen Armstrong.

As fans will know, Owen tends to lose his temper and lash out first, only asking questions later, and we’ll see him having a typically hot headed outburst when he learns that his younger daughter Katy has volunteered to be a surrogate mother so her older sister Izzy can have a child.

His latest outburst happens at baby Joseph’s christening, much to the dismay of his girlfriend Anna Windass.

Ian said, “It’s been simmering for quite some time now and you know that when a storyline like that comes along, there’s going to be an explosion.

“What’s lovely about the dysfunction of the Armstrongs and the Windasses is there’s very much a pressure cooker existence going on because so many things can go wrong and I think it went wrong fabulously at the Christening.

“I was very excited by the fact that they decided to have Owen’s discovery of the surrogacy care of his youngest daughter to happen by whispers during the service.

“I thought that was a wonderfully clever dramatic choice.”

Ian also revealed that he thinks the dynamic of the relationship between calm and collected Anna and angry Owen makes for interesting viewing.

He said, “What’s wonderful is that these bridges are being made and pulled down all the time.

“I love the fact that Owen and Anna are on and so in love, and then something happens among the children and it all goes pear-shaped again.

“I think that rocky, bumpy ride is what viewers like the most.”

And finally, he added, “What I’m looking forward to now is settling in to hopefully a longer storyline, because it just gives you more creativity and it gives you somewhere to go …

“It grows, it gets bigger and bigger and it becomes more involving, and it could possibly even involve a bigger family, so we’re all really excited about that.”

Ooo maybe Anna will have another baby! Eek.

Finally today, we have a list of the new teasers for episodes that will air later this month…

On Monday 20 August at 19:30, Katy’s surrogacy plans put a strain on her relationship with Chesney, while Ryan has little success at Streetcars. And Rob catches Eva out.

On Monday 20 August at 20:30, Owen crosses the line leading to a rift in his family, while Tyrone’s friends try to rally around him. And Eileen tries to mediate between Kevin and Paul.

On Thursday 23 August at 20:30, Tommy sets out to reunite Kirsty and Tyrone, and will Owen accept his daughter’s wishes?