Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley has opened up about her character Eva Price's dramatic exit, which will see her leave the cobbles after seven years. The actress revealed that Eva's departure is driven by guilt over the baby secret involving Toyah Battersby and Peter Barlow.
Eva's lies are set to be exposed when Toyah confesses to Peter that baby Susie is not their child. The pressure becomes too much for Eva at Aidan Connor's funeral, where she breaks down and rushes out during Johnny's eulogy. Tyldesley described the storyline as 'heartbreaking', noting that her character is 'completely guilt-ridden'.
Speaking on ITV's Lorraine, Tyldesley explained: 'She is completely guilt ridden. The Connors are quite clearly distraught since losing Aidan and she knows it is his baby. She wants to tell them, it's Toyah that stopped her from doing it.' The actress added that Eva's maternal instincts are starting to kick in, creating a terrible dilemma over whether to let her sister keep Susie or reveal the truth.
Tyldesley confirmed that Eva will not be killed off, with her final scenes airing in August. She hinted at a possible return, saying: 'I adore doing comedy and Eva has had that side to her. But all sorts, Kate Oates has really fuelled my desire to do some gritty drama as well so we'll see what happens.' The actress is leaving to travel with her family, describing her time on the soap as 'seven years of fast forward' that she loved.
