CORONATION Street fans were shocked by a brief on-screen appearance from barrister Paula Martin during Monday night’s episode (June 8).
Paula – who is played by Stirling Gallacher – will be there for Yasmeen TONIGHT (June 10) as she pleads not guilty to the attempted murder charge. But is Paula Yasmeen’s barrister on the ITV soap? Here’s everything you need to know…
Paula appeared at the very end of the latest installment of the soap as Yasmeen prepared to enter her court plea.
But fans were confused by her role as they spotted her sitting in front of Imran in court.
One fan tweeted: “Ok have I missed something… is Paula yasmeen’s lawyer/barrister or is she Geoff?”
Another added: “She must be helping Imran, or maybe just working in the courts. Geoff hasn’t been arrested or anything like that so can’t be that.”
But given the gown and wig Paula was wearing in court, she must be Yasmeen’s barrister who’ll be presenting the defence at the trial.
But will Paula stop Yasmeen from being convicted?
Stirling left her role as Paula in February for a new role in Casualty as police officer Ffion Morgan, the wife of popular paramedic Jan.
She said at the time: “I am entirely delighted to be joining the longest-running emergency medical drama television series in the world… what’s not to be thrilled about!
“The added bonus is of course the folk that work on this fantastic show, I could not have felt more personally welcomed or professionally supported in what is often a bit of a nerve wracking build up to your first days filming.
“I look forward to many happy hours on Ffion Morgan’s pretend beat.”
Paula first arrived on the cobbles as a guest character in 2018 to represent her old school friend Sally Metcalfe when she was falsely accused of fraud and bribery.
Since then, the character has had a turbulent relationship with Sophie Webster and a one night stand with Tracy Barlow.
Brooke Vincent got fans excited back in May when she hinted that she might be returning to the soap soon.
The actress is currently on maternity leave following the birth of her son but announced that viewers won’t have to wait “too long” for her return.
Might she arrive on the cobbles only to rekindle things with Paula?
Coronation Street are yet to confirm what’s in store for Paula and Sophie, but that hasn’t stopped fans hoping they’ll get back together.
One excited fan tweeted: “I got a question when is brooke who played Sophie coming back to Corrie. Will Paula & Sophie get back together again because l miss Stirling & Brooke in Corrie?”
Another added: “l just hope when Sophie returns that Paula & Sophie will get back together again. Because l think Paula is still in love with Sophie. You think that they will get together again because l missed them 2 in Corrie.”
A third tweeted: “Long live Paula and Sophie and Saula.”
Fans were thrilled when Sophie and Paula first got together while she was representing Sally in court back in 2018.
But the relationship quickly soured after Sophie jeopardised Sally’s chances of being treated in fairly in court by angering the trial judge.
Paula was even more furious when she discovered that Sophie had hatched a plan to get Sally to fake an injury so that the case can be adjourned – and finished things with Sophie.
The pair did rekindle their romance the following year, but Paula brought things to an end yet again in October 2019 and encouraged Sophie to go travelling without her.
