Every year, Coronation Street cafe worker Shona Platt’s life seems to hang in the balance, making drama a big hit, especially at Christmas. But might she decide to end the show once more?
When crazed gunman Derek Milligan shot her while hiding in a massive gift intended for a treasure hunt, Corrie’s Shona Platt was forced to fight for her life. Doctors have now discovered a potential cancerous growth on the neck of the unborn child she is expecting with husband David, just to add to the rollercoaster of Platt family dramas.
As a distraction they decide at the last minute to go to Debbie Webster’s wedding in a minibus taking guests from Wetherfield – only to end up in an almighty crash. And the much feted storyline on January 5 brings the cast of Coronation Street and Emmerdale together for one episode, dubbed ‘Corriedale.’ Rumour has it someone is killed and Julia Goulding, who plays Shona Platt, isn’t ruling herself out.
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Julia, 40, tells The Mirror: ”I can’t say if she or David survive the crash or not, but it’s safe to say Shona is in a very delicate position. They both do get knocked out and it’s touch and go. If they are both affected, the stakes are going to be very high.”
Julia was honored to be cast in the extraordinary episode, which was the first time the two beloved soaps have collaborated, despite her character’s uncertain fate. She claims, “I was thrilled to be asked.” I had a lot of excitement.
Due to Shona and David’s struggles with their baby-related worries, Debbie’s wedding seems like something “normal” to do. Shona and David are in limbo, according to Julia. They are aware that the baby’s neck has a mass, but they are unsure whether or not it is cancerous. Shina believes the wedding is a chance for them to enjoy their freedom while taking her mind off everything.
Working with renowned Emmerdale actors like Chris Chittell and Emma Atkins, who play Charity Dingle, was a dream come true for Julia. Working alongside her, as it was Chris, was absolutely brilliant, she says. There is a scene involving Pollard, Shona, and David and Ken Barry. It was so unbelievable!
Although I’m not sure whether these scenes occurred prior to or after the collision, they were definitely emotional. Julia has never worked with Emmerdale actors before, despite her familiarity with them attending awards ceremonies.
There is no rivalry between us all, she continues. It was so wonderful to finally collaborate. Emma is a talented actress and a wonderful person. We had a conversation while watching a scene and a conversation.
She continues, “We have Duncan Foster directing the episode. ” She is obviously impressed by the cliffhanger episode. You can be sure you’re in safe hands because he has appeared in some of Corrie’s biggest and Emmerdale’s. He is extremely knowledgeable about both the cast and the crew. Shooting was so fun!
Meanwhile, Julia, who has two children – Franklin, six, and Emmeline, three, with her husband, Ben Silver, who she married on stage at Manchester’s Albert Hall in February 2019 – is grateful to have had much easier pregnancies than Shona. “It was tough filming the scenes when Shona found out about the mass,” she says. “It’s every parent’s worst nightmare and you don’t have to stretch yourself emotionally when you hear news like that. Thankfully, my own pregnancies were a hell of a lot smoother than what Shona is having to face.”
Slim Julia has been wearing a prosthetic bump made from rubber and prosthetic breasts, to make Shona’s pregnancy look more convincing. She says: “I was more comfortable when I was pregnant in real life. They are made from rubber and the bump is heavy and sweaty. I have had a bad back for the past eight weeks because it is so heavy!”
Despite the uncomfortable costume, Julia enjoys playing Shona now just as much as she did when she first stepped on to the cobbles nine years ago. After training at London’s prestigious RADA, it was her first TV role. “I love playing her,” she says. “Every day is different and exciting. Nothing is ever the same. You might be crying in the morning about your baby being sick, but then laughing and joking in the afternoon filming Christmas scenes.”
And she and David’s character, Jack P. Shepherd, are close friends. She claims, “We have been together in the soap for nine years.” Who has ever heard of a soap’s nine-year relationship? Working with him is fun because we are good friends. He has a funny side. We both switch things on when things get tough, but there are also times when things get easier. We have a lot of fun filming together, and it’s really important to have downtime on set.
Julia has just recharged her batteries after a fantastic Christmas without Corrie. She says, “Christmas is all about them now that we have kids.” Because my children are not materialistic, I didn’t go wild in the present. However, we enjoyed going on the glow walks a lot during the run-up. It’s nice to take some time off from our families because we adore that kind of things. It’s very important to spend a vacation with your family, so I feel fortunate that we do.
But she has no plans for making New Year’s resolutions. “I don’t often make them, because like 99 per cent of the population I fail in about a week! Although, this year I would like to get to the gym more, be active and healthy.”
And she has no intention of following her screen husband into the Celebrity Big Brother house. She says, firmly: “I would not do Celebrity Big Brother. It is one of the most terrifying thoughts ever to be that exposed for 24 hours on TV. Plus, I prefer to remain firmly behind a character, rather than to be myself. Give me a script me any day over live reality TV.”
She claims that her two sets of grandparents, who both work in the family, are to blame for making it possible for her to raise her children. We are very lucky, she says. Our grandparents can assist us. However, returning home to my babies is always nice.
Julia recalls how special an episode it will be, recalling her thoughts on Corriedale. If Shona is lucky enough to survive the collision, I’d like to see a Corriedale special episode in the future. And I would be asking that Shona join it. Before this first Corriedale episode, I really worry about Shona. “Possibly, one of Shona’s nine lives will finally run out.
*Corriedale will be broadcast on January 5th at 8 p.m. The next weekdays at 8:30 pm on ITV1 will feature Coronation Street. On ITVX, episodes can also be downloaded.
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