Coronation Street actor Joe Duttine has revealed that members of the public have called him "thick" after confusing him with his character Tim Metcalfe.
Tim recently realised the truth about his dad Geoff (Ian Bartholomew) as he discovered that his father really had been abusive toward his wife Yasmeen Nazir (Shelley King) when he watched a video of Geoff taunting Yasmeen. Up until that point, Tim had believed that Geoff was innocent and defended him, even when his loyalty to his dad drove a wedge between him and partner Sally (Sally Dynevor).
Joe has revealed that Tim's slow realisation of Geoff's true colours has prompted some fans to make their feelings clear when they see him in public, but the actor is just pleased that people have reacted so strongly to the story.
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"I've literally had people calling me thick and all sorts on the street," Joe said. "I was filling my car up the other day and someone shouted 'Oy Tim, you thick b****r'. This storyline has reached so many people and everyone wanted Tim to realise what is going on.
"The reaction on social media once he found out was brilliant and it was great to get the feedback that people enjoyed the episodes. It's good to know that people think you are doing a good job, it gave me a real lift and it's very much appreciated."
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Revealing that filming the scenes where Tim finally confronted Geoff was "exciting", Joe said that the aftermath of Tim's discovery will have a profound effect on him as he struggles to process his feelings.
"He has been feeling all sorts of emotions, angry, upset, let down, disappointed, betrayed and just very confused about the whole story and about his life," he continued. "In some ways, he also feels guilt and responsibility because he had been so horrible to Alya and Yasmeen and dismissed everybody and chose not to believe anyone.
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"All the good people in his life were just trying to get him to see the light, at times he was really rude to those people so he feels he has let people down and he is starting to question his own judgement. He is also starting to have confidence issues – what he is feeling, it is very complex."
Tim also recently discovered that Geoff had lied to him about his mum for years and Joe explained that this revelation has made Tim feel like a significant part of his life has been "a lie".
"That is a massive thing to go without for your whole life, it is the ultimate betrayal," Joe said. "Bad enough to find out what his dad did to Yasmeen but also that his dad's behaviour goes back to when he was a child, where did the lies stop and where did they start?"
But although Tim now can't stand to be around Geoff, there's no way that his dad will drive him away from his home.
"He is trying to stay away from Geoff as he probably can't trust himself not to lash out and he knows that would make matters worse," the actor added. "And Tim won't even consider moving away as Geoff will have won."
Geoff will soon be threatening to cause trouble on Tim and Sally's wedding day – can they still get married without him casting a shadow over proceedings?
Coronation Street currently airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm on ITV.
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