Joe Duttine begged ‘Coronation Street’ script writers not to let his character cheat on wife Sally Metcalfe.
The 48-year-old actor was disappointed to find out his alter-ego Tim Metcalfe was going to do the dirty on his significant other – played by Sally Dynevor – with Sal’s sister Gina Seddon (Connie Hyde), admitting he feels "quite protective" over Tim and Sally’s relationship.
He said: "I wanted to protect it. As actors you put a lot of time into your character and your relationship and eventually over time you sort of nick them off the writers.
"So when new writers come along and suggest stuff you’re like, ‘No you can’t do that’. So you do feel quite protective over them because you do get positive feedback and with Tim and Sally they’re a likeable couple and it would be a shame to go down that route."
Joe admits Tim is "utterly devastated" about his infidelity and will confess all to Sally in prison on Christmas Day (25.12.18), but that will not spell the end of the storyline.
He added: "There’s some interesting stuff happening in the new year."
Connie recently admitted she is hoping Gina and Sally will be able to mend their sisterly bond after her and Tim’s infidelity is revealed, but she found the plot "clever" despite initial "fears".
She said: "I love Sally so much – we’re best friends. So we both went, ‘Oh no!’
"Actually though, the way it’s been done is clever. It’s not been Machiavellian, which was my fear at first, but it’s been the opposite of that and the story will run for a long time.
"There’s been different peaks and it’s very subtle, so I’m pleased with it. We were just worried that it would affect our relationship as sisters, but actually there’s something that happens down the line that will rectify that."