Bhavna Limbachia burst into tears when she read Coronation Street’s Kana are to get engaged.
The 34-year-old actress’ alter-ego Rana Nazir is set to pop the question to her significant other Kate Connor (Faye Brookes), only for her girlfriend to do the same in a shock double proposal, and the touching moment left Bhavna "really emotional" when she first read the script.
She said: "It was really emotional. When I first read the script it really moved me and I texted Faye to say that I’ve just cried reading it!
"It was because I knew how much heart was going to go in to filming this scene so when we did come to film it we were both feeling teary.
"This is the peak in their relationship and such a pleasant surprise for both of them and it just makes both of them feel confident and complete, knowing that they are on the same page as each other."
Bhavna – who married Darren Kuppan in July – has been off screen for a few months after Rana went on a cruise with her mother following the passing of her dad Hassan Habeeb (Kriss Dosanjh), but the character’s time apart from the cobbles has only increased her love for Kate.
She said: "Having the time apart has made Rana realise that she has really missed Kate and all she wants to do is get back and cement their relationship. They have had so many hardships in their lives and they’ve lost loved ones which has brought them closer together.
"They have misunderstood each other in the past but they have always overcome that and that’s what makes their bond so strong.
"Rana gets back early to surprise Kate but Kate wants to surprise Rana. There is a lovely, endearing moment when Rana asks Johnny for permission to marry Kate and he is over the moon. I love how Jenny and Johnny are in on this little secret.
"You think both Kate and Rana proposing would be an unlikely event to happen but if you follow their separate journeys you can see how this has happened."
However, there could still be some issues for Kate and Rana – dubbed Kana by ‘Corrie’ super-fans – to sort out, because Kate is keen for a baby, but her other half is not so sure.
Bhavna said: "When Rana was in a relationship with Zeedan she was never ready to have children and a part of Rana has always had that fear.
"Before she came on to the cobbles she was a free spirit, she wanted travel and she wanted to see the world and that’s what she wants with Kate so it throws her that Kate wants children straight away because it is not a conversation that they have had before.
"The more Kate talks about it, the more that fear is embedded in Rana and she can’t shift it. But she does want to make Kate happy because they finally have something to celebrate."