Coronation Street's Todd Boyce talks love interest for Stephen

Coronation Street spoilers ahead.

Coronation Street star Todd Boyce has opened up about his character Stephen Reid's love interest plot.

Returning to Weatherfield next week, the son of Audrey Roberts appears at a stormy time for his mum, who's battling an alcohol problem.

Fans will soon realise he's got a rather keen eye on the opposite sex, though.

todd boyce as stephen reid, coronation street

ITV

"First off quite quickly, there's a bit of a sort of an attraction between him and Elaine [Jones]," Boyce teased.

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"Historically he was a bit of a toyboy and I love the repetition of that. He seems to be attracted to ladies who are a little bit older than him, not as much older as in the past but he definitely isn't after the younger women on the street."

But what exactly is behind this preference?

The soap star, who last portrayed Stephen 15 years ago, went on to explain: "I think he's looking for some security. I know someone who lost his mum at a young age and he's always dated older women.

"There's something of a replacement possibly, although he's not lost his mum – Stephen has not had her around, so he has always been looking for something in the women he has dated."

david, shona, gail, sarah, stephen, coronation street

ITV

Whether or not that chemistry with Elaine blooms into anything meaningful is anyone's guess right now, but one thing's for sure: he'll raise a few eyebrows upon his return.

"I am excited to see people's reaction and what they think of Stephen and whether they're suspicious of what he's up to," Boyce said. "There will be friction between him and the wider family, watch this space."

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV and streams on the ITV Hub.