After a determined Tina made a deal to act as a surrogate for Izzy, her relationship with Tommy has been rocky. But as the reality of the situation starts to hit home, Michelle Keegan talks about how Tina is really feeling and what happens when Tommy issues her with an ultimatum. (This interview contains spoilers).
Question: How is Tina feeling about the embryo transfer?
Answer: She is nervous, having talked about doing this for Izzy and Gary the reality is starting to hit home now. There is no going back once she is pregnant but she is determined to go ahead with it.
Q: Has she had any second thoughts at all about going through with the surrogacy?
A: She was obviously upset at the start that Tommy was angry about it and she knows it is putting a strain on their relationship but she sort of feels that this is the only way out for them to be debt free and to make a new start.
Q: Does she know how strongly Tommy feels about it?
A: She knows he is not happy but she hasn’t realised just how much resentment he is feeling. He is outwardly being supportive saying he will take her to the clinic so she does thinks he has sort of come round to the idea.
Q: What happens on the day of the appointment at the clinic?
A: Tommy is still blaming himself for what Tina is about to do but Tina is putting a brave face on it all. Tommy speaks to Rita about how he is feeling and Rita tells him that he must let Tina know his true feelings before it is too late. He finally comes clean to her on the way to the clinic, stopping the car and pleading with her to reconsider.
Q: How does Tina react when Tommy gives her an ultimatum?
A: Tommy tells Tina that if she insists on going ahead with it then their relationship is over. She is devastated and knows that this is one of the most important decisions she has ever had to make.
Q: Is she taking Gary and Izzy’s thoughts into consideration, or is it purely about the money for her?
A: At the start for her this was about being able to pay off the debts and she hadn’t really given much thought to the emotional side of it all. However as time has gone on she has started to understand how much it means to Gary and Izzy. She has got to know them better and realises that what she is offering to do is something that will change their lives.
Q: What happens when she goes to see Gary and Izzy later?
A: She has to explain to them what Tommy has said and hope that they will understand why she is having second thoughts. It is a difficult conversation for all of them.
Q: Why does she then go back and tell Gary and Izzy the deal is back on?
A: The fact that Izzy has been so understanding is what sets her thinking and she realises that this is no longer just about the money. Tina is a very strong independent character and she doesn’t like being given ultimatums. Tommy put them in this situation in the first place and she is cross that he is being so judgemental and difficult about it all but now it has become to mean much more than simply sorting out his mess.
Q: What happens next?
A: Well the main problem is the viability of the embryos. Having missed the first appointment they might not be I enough time to have the embryo’s implanted.
Q: Why is Tina so determined to go through with this, even if it means the end of her relationship with Tommy?
A: I think she is cross at being given an ultimatum but I think part of her thinks that Tommy does really love her and won’t go through with it. He seems to have thought about the emotional implications of it on their relationship much more than she has.
Q: How would she feel if they split up?
A: She would be devastated – she has had such problems with men and already she and Tommy have been though so much she thought they could get through anything.
Q: Do you think Tina’s really thought this through properly?
A: She would say that she has. But I think she is being a bit stubborn and bloody minded. It is an amazing selfless thing to do but it seems she just thinks it is 9 months and it will be over. Having not had a baby herself she has no idea how she will feel once she is pregnant.
Q: How do you feel about wearing a baby bump if Tina does go ahead with the pregnancy?
A: Now that is the bit I am really excited about, when Natalie was wearing the bump as Kirsty I kept stroking it and I was a bit jealous. It is hanging up in wardrobe now and I can’t wait to get my hands on it!
Q: Can you give us any hints what’s coming up for Tina?
A: This storyline has many months to run and it is going to be so interesting to play. I am thrilled to be given a storyline that will be a real talking point. It is an important issue which hasn’t really been tackled before, I want to do it justice. It will be interesting to see if Tommy sticks around, I love working with Chris (Tommy) so I hope he does. And it is nice to be working with different people like Mikey (Gary) and Cherylee (Izzy).
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