'Give me a script over reality TV any day'

Corrie's Julia Goulding on the dramatic Corriedale special, the joy of playing Shona and avoiding Celebrity Big Brother

- CHRISTINE SMITH

It’s fair to say that Coronation Street café worker Shona Platt hasn’t always had the best time of it over the festive period.

Back in 2019, she was left in a coma, fighting for her life after she was shot by crazed gunman Derek Milligan.

In the present day, doctors have now discovered a possible cancerous growth on the neck of the unborn baby she is expecting with husband David.

To take their minds off the situation, the couple decide at the last minute to go to Debbie Webster’s wedding in a minibus taking guests from Weatherfield – only to end up in an almighty crash, as seen in this week’s much-anticipated Corriedale special, which stars members of the Coronation Street and Emmerdale casts.

As the repercussions of the crash play out this week, rumour has it that someone dies and Julia Goulding, who plays Shona, isn’t ruling herself out.

Julia, 40, tells us, “I can’t say if she or David survive the crash or not, but it’s safe to say Shona is in a very delicate position. They both do get knocked out and it’s touch and go. If they are both affected, the stakes are going to be very high.”

Despite the precarious fate of her character, Julia was honoured to be cast in the extraordinary episode – the first time the two iconic soaps have come together.

She says, “I was over the moon to be asked. I was very excited.”

Debbie’s wedding feels like something “normal” to do, as Shona and David struggle to cope with their fears concerning their unborn child.

Julia explains, “Shona and David are in limbo. They know the baby has a mass on its neck, but they don’t know yet if it’s cancerous or not.