It's good to TALK

JOE DUTTINE and SALLY DYNEVOR on why they hope Tim and Sally's new storyline starts some important conversations

- ALISON SLADE

CORONATION STREET

MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY, 8 PM, ITV SOAP

When Weatherfield's Tim Metcalfe recently underwent heart surgery, he and wife Sally couldn't wait for him to recover - so they could resume activities in the bedroom. But when D-Day arrived, Tim, to his horror, couldn't get the old engine firing up. And despite Sally's best efforts, No.4 Coronation Street has since remained a nookie-free zone.

This week, Tim finally heads off to seek medical advice, but fails to admit that he suffered a last-minute case of cold feet.

TV Times caught up with stars Joe Duttine, 51, and Sally Dynevor, 58, to talk about their sensitive - and sometimes hilarious - new plot...

Tim and Sally are probably the randiest couple on the cobbles. How did you feel when you discovered Tim would suffer with impotence?

JOE I thought it was the perfect storyline for them, and I was really pleased because it's something we hadn't done before.

It's going to put pressure on any relationship, isn't it? Tim and Sally have been together for a long time and the last thing we want to see is them splitting up, but it's nice to test them now and again.

SALLY I was like, 'That's going to be great! It's something that affects a lot of men and it's an important story to tell, but I also knew there was going to be a lot of opportunity for comedy.

Is the worst thing for Tim the embarrassment he feels?

JOE Oh, absolutely. It's a massive confidence knocker, and it's very difficult because blokes like Tim don't talk about their health, and they certainly don't talk about things as personal and intimate as this.

There have been some moments of comedy gold, and some very saucy innuendo. Have you been shocked by the scripts?