'Coronation Street' Eileen tipped for "heart-rending" scenes

Coronation Street's Eileen Grimshaw has been tipped to feature in "emotional" scenes as her new romance storyline begins.

Eileen is about to find love on screen with Weatherfield firefighter Paul, as first announced by show bosses in the summer. Paul, who was previously seen in last year's tram crash episodes, rescues the factory worker when she gets her head stuck in some railings on the roof of Underworld.

Coronation Street chiefs have also confirmed that Paul (Tony Hirst) is hiding something and The Mirror today claims that his secret is "massive" and will lead to "heart-rending and harrowing scenes".

"There will be an emotional rollercoaster for Eileen, Paul, and someone who is very close to him," a source told the newspaper. "People will be reaching for their hankies in what will be terrific TV.

"It will be what Corrie does best, tugging at the heart strings as people strive to find true love."

Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen, is thought to have signed a new contract with the soap which will keep her on screen for at least another 12 months.

A Coronation Street spokesperson said: "Eileen has always been one of our most popular characters and this big storyline will take her well into the New Year."



Cleaver sparked speculation about the new plotline yesterday when she teased that the forthcoming twist has never been seen on a soap before.

"Eileen and Paul are going to get on well, they are going to have a relationship, but as usual on this street, it will not be plain sailing," she explained.

"There'll be some issues to get to grips with and get over, that I think are going to make really interesting viewing. It's not something that's been done before, I think, on soap - so keep watching!"

Coronation Street continues on Thursday at 8.30pm on ITV1.

> Coronation Street casting update: Eileen's new boyfriend
> Coronation Street Eileen to clash with newcomer - Spoiler snippet
> Coronation Street Eileen fears heartbreak in love plot
> Coronation Street Eileen twist is a soap first, says Sue Cleaver
> See more pictures of Paul rescuing Eileen from Underworld's roof