In plain SIGHT

CALUM LILL on playing Weatherfield's latest villain, and what's next for twisted Joel...

- ALISON SLADE

CORONATION STREET

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Following months of cryptic clues and fan speculation, ITV1’s Corrie has finally revealed that Joel Deering was the abusive boyfriend of Lauren Bolton, the troubled teen who is missing, presumed dead.

But with the residents of Weatherfield including Joel’s lovable fiancée Dee-Dee Bailey – still in the dark, could the smooth-talking solicitor’s crimes go unpunished?

TV Times caught up with actor Calum Lill, 28, who was working as a car salesman before arriving on the cobbles, for an exclusive chat to discuss his dangerous alter ego and the next chapter for Joel as he battles to evade justice…

What has the reaction been like from the public since the big reveal last month?

Everyone is like, ‘Ooh, I didn’t know it was you, but my friend did!’ I drove to my girlfriend Roberta’s family’s house in Oxfordshire the day after, and I stopped at the services and felt like I had three heads – everyone was looking! These two women were like, ‘Ooh, I didn’t think it was you, but she suspected you.’ I was worried that people would hate me, but everyone seems nice – they get it.

You posted a video of your lovely grandma, Sue, on social media, who was not happy! Is she speaking to you again?

Yes, she is! She’s getting a bit overwhelmed, though. She was like, ‘I hope I’ve not embarrassed you!’ I was like, ‘Embarrassed me, Grandma? Everyone loves you!’

It was a huge secret to keep. Who did you tell?

When I auditioned for the part in May 2023, I lived with my girlfriend, and my brother was also staying with us, so they helped me run lines. The breakdown I had was, ‘He’s a confident, charming, charismatic guy with a sinister side.’ Then once I got to the screen tests, I was told the nuts and bolts of the story.