Clare: 'Corrie's Mary is oddly uninhibited'

Coronation Street actress Patti Clare has described her character Mary as "oddly uninhibited".

Speaking to the Radio Times, the actress also praised Malcolm Hebden - who plays Norris Cole - for his "comic" ability.

She said: "She gets things wrong. She finds it difficult to express emotion, she's socially awkward and desperately lonely. She really does love Norris, though.

"There's a lot of passive aggression there - perhaps from looking after what I imagine was a domineering mother. I don't think she'd harm anyone, but you never know."

Clare added: "Working with Malcolm brought Mary's comedy to the fore because he's such an accomplished comic actor.

"In her heart of hearts, I think she knows he will never love her. But she sails on anyway, unwilling to give up on romance. For someone who's so contained, she's oddly uninhibited."