Corrie star backs Maria, Carla friendship

Coronation Street star Samia Smith has admitted that she would like Maria and Carla Connor to get past their current problems and remain friends.

Relations between the pair suffer in the next few episodes of the soap as Carla (Alison King) announces that Frank Foster will be buying into Underworld. The news comes despite Carla's knowledge that Frank tried to force himself on Maria during an informal business meeting at his home.

Speaking to Inside Soap about her character's reaction to the news, Smith commented: "Maria tells her to shove her job, but Carla responds that she was asking for what happened because she turned up at Frank's in a short dress. Maria smacks Carla across the face and storms out."

Maria's row with Carla prompts her to finally tell boyfriend Chris the truth about what happened with Frank (Andrew Lancel). She then reports the businessman to the police, but Carla remains firmly on Frank's side.

Pondering how things could progress between Carla and Maria in the future, Smith confirmed that she would not like the pair to remain at odds forever.

"After everything the two of them have been through together, what with the Liam stuff and then Tony's siege at Underworld, they actually get on really well," she explained.

"I do think that Maria going to the police about Frank might have a tiny bit to do with trying to get back at Carla, though, because of the way she's treated Maria since everything happened. But I do hope it's not the end of their friendship."

> Corrie star: 'Carla is being selfish'
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