Coronation Street star Stirling Gallacher has spoken about the backlash ahead for her character Paula Martin.
Paula faces an angry reaction from Sophie (Brooke Vincent) and Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) next week after she inadvertently puts their family in danger.
As first revealed in recent Coronation Street spoilers, Paula moves in with Sophie and Kevin at Number 13 after two mysterious break-ins at her house.
Trouble later follows Paula to the Street when a criminal she has been working against breaks into Kevin's house while his young son Jack (Kyran Bowes) is home alone.
Related: 13 Coronation Street spoilers for next week
Although the man in question is caught out thanks to Abi Franklin, and Jack is thankfully left unharmed, the Websters are livid to realise that Paula wasn't more open about the threat she was facing.
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Discussing the storyline for the first time, Stirling explained: "Paula is dealing with some nasty folk and she has found herself in a very dangerous situation, just by doing her job. She is very scared by what is happening and is out of her depth.
"She is pleased and relieved when Sophie asks her to move in, but secretly wary. It is a big step for them and with everything that is going on, it is not really the right time but she doesn't want to be at home on her own."
Asked whether Paula is aware that she's putting the Websters at risk, Stirling replied: "I don't think Paula would have made a conscious choice to endanger Sophie or her family in her own interests, but fear can skew a person's judgement and Paula is way more scared than she is letting on.
"Does she feel guilty about what happens and how Jack was put in real danger? Yes of course! She's mortified. To put a small child at risk like that is awful."
Stirling also touched on the mystery of Paula's connection to Jan Lozinski (Piotr Baumann), after recent episodes hinted that they know each other.
On whether Paula was shocked to see Jan on the Street, Stirling said: "Very much so, yes. She knows Jan in a professional capacity and is very compromised by him living in such close proximity.
"Paula is very worried and is extremely uncomfortable and must be very careful what she says, as the situation is beyond delicate."
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.
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