‘I've struggled... but now I'm on the up!'

In a candid interview, Corrie’s Alex Bain tells TV Times about growing up in the spotlight, and the big new storyline for Simon Barlow

- Alison Slade

CORONATION STREET MON, WED & FRI / ITV / TIMES VARY / SOAP

Alex Bain has spent two thirds of his life in Coronation Street; joining as the cute, curly-haired son of Peter Barlow as a six-year-old in 2008, after making his TV debut in a Rice Krispies advert.

Over 12 years later and Alex, 19, is now at the centre of a huge storyline, with his alter ego Simon Barlow being drawn into drug dealing as mum Leanne mourns the death of toddler Oliver.

We caught up with Alex to talk about his busy life, on and off the cobbles...

How has Simon been affected by Oliver’s death?

Everyone’s had a lot to cope with, and I think he’s just been pushed to the side, in a way. He understands people need time to grieve, but I do think that he feels very alone and isolated.

Does he feel a pressure to be ‘the man of the house’?

Yes, he feels he has to support Leanne, because she has always supported him. He’s doing something for her or Peter, and also trying to be there for the rest of his family, but he’s only young, and he isn’t perfect himself. He’s been in trouble in the past, and when things get too much, he tends to lash out and not realise what he’s getting himself into.

Do you think drug dealing makes him feel less isolated?

Definitely. He’s never really had close friends, and the gang fills that void. But he’s getting in too deep, into things he doesn’t even know exist. He’s been in gangs before, but it’s never been this serious.