Coronation Street spoilers follow.
Coronation Street has confirmed that Mary Taylor will take centre stage in a new storyline that sees her develop quite the crush on a familiar face.
In next week's episodes, Mary (Patti Clare) tries to cheer up Sean Tully (Antony Cotton) and ends up offering him the use of her new blanket, which just so happens to be covered with the face of Good Morning Britain presenter Ben Shephard.
Mary then explains to Sean that Ben is the love of her life but she's willing to share him, leaving Sean speechless.
And speaking on GMB earlier this week, Mary actress Patti Clare teased that this is just the start of things to come when it comes to Mary's crush on Ben.
"It's really interesting," Patti teased. "In the few episodes leading up to the big reveal of Mr Ben Shephard blankey, we keep mentioning things like Tipping Point, and it's a lovely little nod all the way up to the big reveal of the blanket, which you'll see next week.
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"And then we think there might be more to come based around Mr Ben Shephard blankey. That's all I'm saying."
The storyline was confirmed on GMB on Tuesday (August 4), with a flustered Ben learning about the twist at the same time as viewers, much to the delight of his co-host Kate Garraway.
"I'm thrilled to bits," Ben said. "I'm very flattered as well, that somebody as discerning as Mary would feel like I can offer some sort of solace in these times of need and such uncertainty."
"It makes perfect sense, don't you think?" Patti replied. "I mean in Mary's world being embraced by Ben is just her idea of heaven. So, she's put two and two together and come up with 10, and I think it's a brilliant idea. So she could get a chain going of Ben products. But anyway the blanket is a beginning."
And with Ben Shephard currently taking a break from GMB, would he be interested in following in Lorraine Kelly's footsteps and popping over to the cobbles for a cameo?
"I'd be there in a shot," he confirmed. "Trust me, I would be there in a shot. Honestly, it's one of those things that seems quite surreal."
Coronation Street currently airs Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 7.30pm on ITV. Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am.
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