Coronation Street Blog: Peter Ash interview: The end for Paul and Billy?

How does Paul feel about Todd, has he no suspicions about what he has been up to?

By this point Todd’s manipulations have well and truly worked with Paul, they are mates really at the moment. They both work at Underworld and the helpline and Todd has been the one that Paul has opened up to about the whole Will situation with no idea that Todd is behind the whole thing. Of course when Todd first came in Paul really didn't like him. There was jealousy of him being Billy’s ex and they had a couple of kick offs. Todd is playing the long game and hiding in plain sight, he is everywhere that Paul is and Paul is completely oblivious to what is going on. It is interesting that even Billy was warning him to be careful of Todd but Paul has been fully taken in.

After a bit of a rocky patch when Todd first returned, Paul and Billy seem to be stronger than ever. How have they managed to work through things, has Todd helped inadvertently?

The last trick that Todd pulled ended up with Paul spending the night in prison and Todd obviously thought that would be the thing that split them up. But after that they actually had a heart to heart and realised they needed to spend more time together so that kind of backfired on Todd. Paul and Billy are getting on really well and Billy has told Paul to do everything above board where Will is concerned.

How is Paul feeling now about the situation with Will, is it still worrying him?

The close call with almost getting sent down again was a wake uo for Paul and he realises he has to do everything in the right way. He is still worried and he wants to help Will but knows he has to listen to Billy’s advice. He does care about Will, his story is very close to Paul’s own story from when he was younger so it is a struggle for him.

What happens when Paul realises that it was Will who broke into the flat and caused Summer’s accident?

It is all such a shock and a bit of a blur, they have just come back from court and Paul has got off with a community order so they are in high spirits and have agreed to go for a drink with Todd and then they turn the corner to see Summer on the floor having been hit by car, Paul clocks Will straight away and that is a second shock for him and he doesn't say anything initially because everything happens so quickly and they have to get to the hospital with Summer. He then starts to put the pieces together and he feels massively guilty that it is him who has brought this to their doorstep literally. It takes him a little while but when they get back to the flat and he sees the mess that Will has caused, he finally admits to Billy and he realises it all comes down to Paul getting too involved with Will. Paul of a year or two ago might have shied away from admitting his part in this but he has built this family with Billy and Summer and he knows he doesn't want to lose it.

What is Billy’s reaction and could this be the final straw for Billy and Paul’s relationship?

This is one of the toughest things they have had to work through and without giving too much away it is potentially something which could see the end of their relationship. Billy feels such a responsibility for Summer and now she has been out in danger because of Paul’s actions.

Do you like Paul, would you be his mate?

If I was his mate I would tell him to wake up a bit and have a bit more sense. I have grown to love Paul, I love the character and the way he has developed. I like that we have seen the softer side of him since he has been with Billy, a lighter side. He has really developed and turned his life around, he seems much stronger. The Kel stuff and admitting it all to his family and to Billy was a turning point. He can be quite volatile, he can flare up at the slightest thing but he has started to control that side of him. Being with Billy, and Bernie coming back and showing a more maternal side has really helped him, Gemma and the quads need him too. His relationship with Summer is great, they have a great friendship and kinship.

Yet again Paul confides in Todd why does he trust him so much?

It is a mix of a few different things, obviously Todd is an arch manipulator, he is very clever, Paul is not so bright, he is more street wise than clever and Todd knows how to play him. Todd has made sure he has been there every step of the way and Paul has felt able to confide in him.

How do you think he would react if this was the end of the relationship with Billy?

We will really see him struggle if this was the end of his relationship. I am excited to see what will happen, it is another chapter now, this is a more mature Paul how will he deal with this situation if he finds himself without Billy and Summer.

Glenda Young

Author of gritty, family saga novels with Headline