Samia Smith on Liam, Helen and Carla

Last week, I caught up with the lovely Samia Smith, who plays Coronation Street's new mum Maria Connor, to chat about her über-creepy relationship with Weatherfield's resident adult psycho Tony Gordon (Gray O'Brien) - David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd) being the the youngest unhinged resident.

Click here to read the main part of the interview or read on below to hear Samia's thoughts on the new Helen Connor, whether Maria's betraying Liam's memory, and whether she's looking forward to Alison King's return as Carla Gordon.

What was it like working with a different Helen Connor?
"I thought it'd be strange at first but it surprised me - it just flowed. Dearbhla did the character justice and fell into the part really easily."

As a viewer, do you think Maria's betraying Liam's memory?
"No, because she's completely oblivious to what's going on. She doesn't think for one second that there's any bad in Tony. All she sees is this man who's made her feel so much better about herself and made her happy again when she never thought she would be. At the end of the day, Liam had cheated on Maria with Carla and she thinks she can trust Tony - he's been hurt as much as she has."

What have been your thoughts on Tony and Maria's development after watching the episodes back?
"It's odd because I just constantly criticise myself, so I can't really ever watch my stuff as a viewer. I can watch everyone else's stuff, but when I see me, I say 'why did I play it like that?' Tony and Maria seem to work well together and you believe that the friendship they have is genuine. People have come up to me in the street and said that they think they're well suited, but they know that they shouldn't be together."

Are you looking forward to Alison King returning?
"Yeah, her first scene's going to be quite dramatic! We're only just crossing paths, though, because I'll be leaving for maternity leave just as she returns. Carla's the only person who knows the truth about Tony, so she'll be the one to burst the bubble. That's when it all starts - the beginning of the end for Tony and Maria…"

> Soap Insight: Tony and Maria's relationship