CORONATION Street star Alison King has detailed how it was filming the final heart-wrenching scenes with her on-screen soulmate Chris Gascoyne.
Carla and Peter Barlow’s love story has captured the nation’s hearts and won over millions of fans worldwide, but now the beloved staple soap couple are going their separate ways.
In an upcoming heartbreaking Boxing Day Episode, all will change as Peter Barlow, played by Chris, says farewell to the cobbles and his partner in crime, Carla, played by Alison, this Christmas.
Described as the Burton and Taylor of the soap world, Ali shared that filming the scenes where the couple say goodbye to each other was ‘amazing’ but emotional.
Speaking on what it was like filming those final Coronation Street scenes that involved just the two of them, she said: “We’re filming solidly together for two days. There was a lot to learn. But aside from that, it was amazing, but it was so emotional I did not need any tearstick for those scenes.
“There was no way of knowing what would happen because every time we did it, I literally filled up with emotion and started crying at different times in every scene.
“Just seeing a different look from Chris would set me off because he’s so wonderful at Meisner technique, which involves an actor reacting to another actor’s performance and behaviour, he’s so reactive. That’s why I’ve loved working with him so much.”
When asked how she felt about the exit storyline, she replied: “It’s always about the reaction. We can do things 1000 different ways in each take. And he’s so brilliant every single time.
“It was just a different journey, and you’re absolutely spent, and it’s such a roller coaster of emotions.
Ali also discussed the moment that Carla realised it was ‘over’ for the iconic couple and that she had to let him go.
The 50-year-old actress explained: “He(Peter) starts getting the postcards and the messages from his mate on the boat asking him to go and join him, she starts to notice that he’s really excited.
“It is the first time in a while that anything has taken his mind off what has been going on. Obviously, he asks her to go with him, and she flat-out says no, because she’s trying to get the factory back up and running.
She added: “And I think the realisation comes from him that she’s fighting for the business, and they want different things.
“She’s realising that she can’t. She’s quite happy to carry on on her own and starts to feel sad. And it’s a slow sinking feeling that she realises that maybe it is time for them to do their own things, we had that, and it was wonderful, but maybe that is over.
Peter’s exit comes after he was recently cleared of criminal responsibility over Stephen’s death,
However, since then, he has had relationship troubles with Carla and his family over fears that his mental health is deteriorating.
Coronation Street airs on ITV1 and is available on ITVX.
