Michelle Collins, who plays Stella, previews the drama to come as Stella finally uncovers her friend Sunita and boyfriend Karl's affair, right under her nose.
Q: Stella knows Karl’s a gambler – but does she have any suspicions he’s a love rat cheat too?
Stella is obviously aware of Karl’s gambling problems, but that is as far as she thinks it goes. She knows he has gone behind her back as far as the addiction goes, but she has absolutely no idea he has been cheating on her with another woman, especially right under her nose!
Q: Stella insists Leanne and Eva join her for a girls’ night out – how does it go? Does she have any doubts about leaving Karl in charge of the pub?
Stella wants to give him more responsibility, as she feels his confidence has been knocked due to the gambling. She wants to give him more control and self-respect, as she has been rather hard on him lately, so she leaves him in charge while she goes on the girl’s night out - which goes terribly. The girls start rowing and it all backfires on Stella as she organised the night. They decide to go back to the pub to try and sort things out.
Q: How does Stella feel when they get home and find Karl in a compromising position after Sunita has seduced him?
Like anybody would, shocked and angry. She had absolutely no idea anything was going on. She is heartbroken.
Q: Karl tries to play it down - is there any way Stella can convince herself it’s innocent or is it obvious they’ve been cheating on her?
No, I think it is pretty obvious to everybody exactly what is going on. He tries to worm his way out of it but Stella sees right through him.
Q: How does she feel when Eva tells her she suspected Karl and Sunita were having an affair all along?
She wonders why she hadn’t mentioned it, but is more concerned with what Karl has done rather than the fact Eva may have suspected something.
Q: What happens when she confronts Sunita?
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned! There’s a slap and she drags her down the cobbles to Dev for all to see. Sunita tries to claim it was a one-off, but Stella knows it wasn’t. The past few months suddenly seem to make sense, everything falls into place for her. She feels betrayed and humiliated.
Q: Dev sees the fight... does Stella have any doubts about telling him what’s been going on or does she launch straight in?
No. it’s quite impulsive and reactionary, she drags Sunita to his door. There isn’t really time to hesitate, so yes, I would say she launches straight in.
Q: What makes her throw Karl out? Is their relationship definitely over or could she ever forgive his affair?
Enough is enough for Stella; I think the affair is definitely the final straw. She feels like an idiot, she feels humiliated by Karl, a complete and utter idiot for not realising what was going on.
Q: Is this the first time he has cheated on her or does she suspect it has happened before?
Yes, it has happened before with a few other barmaids. Stella has forgiven him in the past and learnt to trust him again, but this time it’s different. She hates him for what he has done to her.
Q: Who does she feel more betrayed by – Karl or Sunita?
Probably more by Sunita, as she took her for a friend and has done so much to help her recently. She feels betrayed by both of them, but I think she expected more from Sunita.
Q: How does she react when Karl begs her to take him back?
She is not having it at all. She has taken him back so many times before, it has gotten ridiculous now. There is no way she is having him back again.
Q: How does she feel when she finds out Karl has moved in with Sunita?
It’s a real shock and so quick. It really hurts her, she is gutted by it, and especially because Karl keeps telling Stella he still loves her. Little does she know that Karl has nowhere else to go.
Q: Could this make Stella re-think staying at The Rovers and in Weatherfield? Can she afford/manage to run The Rovers single-handedly? Might she be forced to sell up?
I doubt it. Stella is the sort of person who bounces back. She’ll be down and out for a day or two, then for her the show must definitely go on.
Q: What advice would you give to Stella about her situation?
I think she is making the right decision, Karl is a loser who is only going to hurt her again if she gives him the chance to. A leopard never changes his spots!
Q: What reaction have you had from viewers about Karl’s affair?
They hate it! They keep telling me to ‘get rid of him’!
Q: Would you like to see Stella get together with someone else on the Street? Who would make a good match?
I’m not sure, I think she should concentrate on having some fun. Stella isn’t the type to have an affair, so he would have to be single. But after Karl, I think she will focus more on looking after herself and trying to get over the affair.
More about this story
Watch Stella's shocking discovery in Coronation Street on Monday 23rd July from 7.30pm on ITV1.
See the first pics of Stella confronting Karl and Sunita right now in picture previews.
Follow all the twists and turns of Sunita's affair at her storyline page.
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