Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) made his way back to Coronation Street in Monday’s (February 5) episode of the ITV soap, ready to impress Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) and reconnect in their relationship.
Steve has been away for a few weeks visiting daughter Emma in France. While he’s been gone, Tracy has been keeping a close eye on Tommy Orpington (Matt Milburn), who’s in Weatherfield doing some painting and decorating work at Number 1.
Initially, Tracy and Tommy worked out they had a connection and were getting along nicely, but then Tommy addressed the fact he fancies Tracy and when the feelings were established as mutual, they kissed and slept together.
Tonight, returning to Number 1, Steve announced to Ken (William Roache) that he wanted to put the spark back in his marriage.
Planning an afternoon of french cheeses and alcohol, Steve headed over to the flower shop to find Tracy, unaware she was inside perfecting her tonsil tennis playing skills with her husband’s footballing hero.
When Tracy and Tommy eventually got to the door, they successfully covered by telling Steve they were discussing payments about the work at Number 1.
Back at home, after inviting Tommy over for what was meant to be his romantic afternoon with Tracy, Steve ended up speaking about his marriage problems.
Tommy gave advice to Steve and told him he should listen to Tracy more, take her cups of tea in the morning, and just generally do things that’ll make her smile.
Steve was grateful and certain the advice Tommy had given him was amazing – completely unaware he had been the one making Tracy smile while he was in France.
But now Steve is back, where does this leave Tommy and Tracy?
‘There’s really good chemistry between Tommy and Tracy,’ Matt Milburn told us.
‘I think he likes her sparky nature, her quick retorts and her banter is very sharp. He likes being kept on his toes. She’s not an easy target in ways. I just think that they seem to have this chemistry between them that none of them see coming. Maybe because she’s off the menu, that unconsciously attracts him more.’
‘I think he feels a little bit scorned by relationships generally,’ he suggested.
‘He’s not got any ill feelings towards his ex-wife but I think his feelings towards long term relationships as a whole is something he’s not convinced by.
‘He had no desire to meet someone and I’m not really sure if he’s ready for dating, so meeting someone like Tracy who is married for a start, is not an ideal scenario.’
