Bonus Scoop: Corrie's Alison King

I recently caught up with the fabulous Alison King, who plays Carla Connor in Coronation Street, to chat about her latest storyline.

Click here for the main interview.

However, if you've been wondering about Carla's friendship with Leanne; Carla's screen family, including her brother, Darren; and when Alison finishes filming before she goes on maternity leave, then read on.

I've asked a number of people about Carla's brother Darren and have had the same response - they'd all love to have him around. Corrie's producer Kim Crowther also mentioned him last month in my interview with her.

We already have a clear picture of who he is and where he is currently. If you don't know, Darren is currently residing in Strangeways prison serving an eight-year sentence at her Majesty's pleasure for armed robbery.

So I'll make a bold statement here and now - we'll be seeing Darren at some point in 2009.

And if Alison has her way, I think we'll meet Carla's sister, too. Don't forget to let me know your views on the potential casting below.

For now, here are those extra bits:

At one point, Carla hated Leanne. Are you surprised at the producers making them pally?
"No, not at all. They're quite similar. Before when they were friends, they were trying to out-do each other and show each other who was the best with a business. Then Leanne crossed Carla [by sleeping with] with Paul, so they didn't speak for six months. Leanne did go up to Carla a couple of times and try to make friends, but Carla wasn't having any of it. Eventually, Carla had the crisis with Liam and when Leanne tried to make friends again, they both realised that they're close whether they like it or not. Leanne's a good confidante and says it how it is. I think it really works actually."

Would you like to see Carla's brother Darren turn up in Weatherfield?
"Yeah, for sure. I think she's got a brother who's absolutely brilliant with her. I think he'll be stunningly charming, but a complete minger inside. He'll be as rough as old boots because Carla's mum was rough, too. Carla's from a really rough family, but she's tried to put all that behind her. It'd be good to have someone there like Darren who wants to sponge off her or embarrass her all the time. Or maybe he just loves her to death and idolises the ground she walks on? I also think Carla could have a sister that she's not spoken to for years."

When are you due to finish filming?
"Around Christmas time."

Can you give us any clues as to how Carla's going to leave?
"No way, José! "

You must be proud to have become such an established character in such a relatively short period of time?
"Yeah, it's brilliant. I've been really fortunate to have storyline after storyline. I suppose the sad thing about that is that my boys keep leaving me! I don't think that's anything to do with me, though! It's been great to play, every which way. It's allowed me to show a bit of range, which is always good in a soap. All the storylines I've had just keep adding new layers to Carla as a character."

Let me know your views on the above using the usual form below!