Coronation Street’s Claire Sweeney asked ‘what’s going on here’ amid ‘nerves’ over new partnership

Coronation Street star Claire Sweeny has been asked ‘what’s going on’ as she teased her next on-screen partnership. The actress joined the ITV soap last year as Cassie Plummer, the real mum of Tyrone Dobbs and daughter of Evelyn Plummer.

Viewers saw Cassie for the first time after she tracked down her mum to the street but when Evelyn spotted her, she ignored her. Later, Evelyn received a call and was seen hurrying into A&E reception, explaining that her daughter has been admitted as an emergency after she overdosed.

The pair then entered into an emotional confrontation as Cassie revealed she knew that she was living with Tyrone and had been keeping him from her for all these years. Things reached a heart-breaking climax when Evelyn emotionally confessed that Tyrone thinks his mum is dead but Cassie later revealed her identity to Tyrone and has since made herself part of his and his children’s lives.

But in upcoming scenes, after being sacked from her job as a receptionist at Webster’s Autocentre by boss Kevin Webster, Corrie fans will see Cassie getting involved with the Barlows.

Following Ken Barlow’s fall, which left him with a fractured pelvis, Steve McDonald, Amy Barlow and Daniel Osbourne discuss care package options and wonder how on earth they’re going to fund them in scenes set to air in the long-running soap next week. Cassie listens with interest and later offers to be Ken’s carer for a quarter the price of a professional. Daniel and Amy reckon it’s a good idea and Steve reluctantly agrees, leaving Cassie thrilled.

Steve makes out to Ken that Cassie’s a qualified carer and they hired her through an agency. However, when Cassie starts work at No.1, she reveals that she’s had no training and only stepped in to help out and save the family a bit of cash and Ken’s quietly furious. Cassie later sets Ken straight, explaining that she was honest with Steve from the off and never pretended to have any qualifications, will she win him round?

When Cassie arrives for work at No.1, Steve relishes informing her that her first task is to cut Ken’s toenails and Cassie swallows her disgust. Enjoying Cassie’s company, Ken suggests they go out for a spot of lunch. Amy is amused at how much Cassie gets under her dad’s skin and suggests to Steve that there’s a spark between him and Cassie and he’s in denial about his attraction to her. Steve firmly denies it and Amy hides her amusement.

Claire, meanwhile, took to Instagram as the spoilers were revealed and posted pictures from the scenes which she can be seen alongside Ken icon Bill Roache. Radio presenter and friend Pete Burrell was among those to respond, asking: “So what’s going on here ???? NOT Cassie & Ken… Can’t wait for this one.”

Fans, meanwhile, were excited. @parksy_1878 said: “Can’t wait for this. Cassie and the Barlow’s. Love it.” @nancyhovhanesian commented: “This will be wonderful…Cassie with the Barlows.” @jainedolan laughed: “They’d be brilliant together.” @jennyparksy added: “Can’t wait for this sir Kenneth Barlow and Cassie going to ship them. Kennie my ship name already.”

Claire has since reshared the photos and said: “So Cassie becomes Ken’s carer. Just love working with Bill Roache, such a legend. And laugh every day with @fat_dracula he’s brill, and the lovely @ellejmulvaney @coronationstreet.”

It comes after the 53-year-old said she felt “nervous” about acting alongside Corrie veteran Bill. She addmitted she felt overwhelmed when she realised she would have so many scenes with the Weatherfield regular. She told OK! magazine: “I was very ensconced in the Dobbs’ house with Maureen Lipman and Alan Halsall and then suddenly I heard whispers that I had a storyline with Bill [Roache’s].

“My first day of filming, I just said to him, ‘Look, I’m nervous,’ and he was so kind and warm. I feel so honoured – I’ve only been here a year and I’m so lucky to have this storyline.”