Coronation Street Blog: Peter Ash interview - Can Paul stop Billy marrying Todd?

How is Paul feeling as Billy and Todd plan their wedding, does he still think he can get his man?

Obviously he’s not happy about it, he feels like he’s lost Billy but then Will comes on the scene and starts jogging his suspicions again about Todd. He knows there’s something going on between Will and Todd but he can’t quite put his finger on it. I think Paul definitely does want Billy back but a lot of the trust has gone, Billy was very quick to listen to Todd despite him being the one dishing out the warnings about Todd when he first came back.

As time goes on is Paul realising just how much he’s been played by Todd?

Bit by bit he’s starting to get more suspicious, especially with Will coming back on the scene, he knows there’s something behind all this now he just needs to put the pieces together.

So how do the pieces fall into place for Paul?

Paul gets a call from Will where he says he’s going to tell him everything but then Todd gets to him first and Will shuts down again. It really frustrates Paul but out of that Will does mention how angrily Paul has been reacting to people and points out that’s not helping him. It makes him realise he needs to calm down and focus more on Summer because he really cares for her.

Will then sends Paul a video that could expose Todd, how does Paul feel?

It’s a set up of a conversation between Will and Todd where Todd’s basically bang to rights and he admits how he’s been playing them all from the beginning. So Paul then decides he’ll sabotage the screening they’re doing in the garden for the calendar launch and play the video out for everyone to see. Paul’s just waiting to see how it's all going to unravel when the bomb drops.

What do you think he’s hoping to achieve through exposing Todd?

I think Paul just wants to be justified now in his belief that it was Todd who orchestrated his downfall. It’s a bit of an I told you so moment for Paul but I wouldn’t say it’s joyous for him, it’s bittersweet because he told Billy it was Todd all this time and he didn’t believe him and now look where they’ve ended up.

Do you think Paul still wants Billy back after all this?

I think he does because he still loves him but after the reveal there’s a moment where Paul does think hang on I’m glad the truth is out but you never believed me, the trust has been damaged, it’s a case of too little too late.

Throughout all this Paul has remained close to Summer, how important is she to him?

When Billy first said he couldn’t see Summer that really upset him but Paul reacted in the moment, was hot headed and got angry and in a way proved Billy’s point. He was gutted because he really does love Summer but I'm sure that’s something that will continue regardless of what happens between Billy and Paul. At the end of the day despite the bad things that have gone on between Billy, Paul and Todd they are all looking out for Summer and trying their best to protect her. But the love triangle has just made things a bit sticky.

Would you like to see Billy and Paul back together or do you enjoy playing the love triangle with Todd?

I do really enjoy playing all the drama of the love triangle. I love working with Dan but I think Paul needs to find someone new now. It’s a bit too little too late from Billy and I think the damage has been done in their relationship with such a huge breach of trust. But who knows in soap, I’m just looking forward to seeing what’s next for Paul.

Do you enjoy playing Paul versus Todd, do you think Todd possibly underestimated Paul?

Definitely, at first Paul was very suspicious of Todd but he was very manipulative, he got Paul on side and I love the dynamic between them. Gareth who plays Todd is great, I’ve really enjoyed playing the scenes between them, we have a lot of fun.

Glenda Young

Novelist published by Headline