Corrie's Hawley: 'John should be redeemed'

Coronation Street actor Graeme Hawley has revealed that he wants a redemption plot for his character John Stape.

Disgraced John is released from prison and reunited with wife Fiz (Jennie McAlpine) in Wednesday's episode of the ITV1 soap. The ex-school teacher has served time for the abduction of his former love interest and pupil Rosie Webster (Helen Flanagan).

Discussing his hopes for John's future, Hawley told the Sunday Mail: "I want him to become a good family guy. It's nice to see John and Fiz have a relationship. We've never seen that, there's always been something bubbling under the surface, but the two of them make a lovely, quirky husband and wife.

"Like many things in Coronation Street, it will depend on the public whether he is redeemed or whether they'll think he's a bad 'un and will always be a bad 'un."

The soap star also admitted that he was startled when he discovered that Rosie's mother Sally (Sally Whittaker) would brand John a paedophile upon his return to the Street.

He said: "I did flinch a bit when I read the line. I was like, 'Crikey'. It's a bit weird. It takes on a whole new meaning. It sometimes gets shouted at me in jest when I'm walking along the street. Before I could brush it off, but now it takes a different meaning.

"But from day one the way I've looked at it is, if people are reacting to you and engaging in your character and story, then they'll say stuff. If they didn't, I wouldn't have a job here."

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