Coronation Street legend Tracy Barlow has had numerous romances over the years, but actress Kate Ford has revealed why one in particular didn’t work out.
Tracy has had a very complicated on and off again relationship with Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) over the years, with the two sharing daughter Amy Barlow (Elle Mulvaney).
Their marriage came to a dramatic end last year when Tracy’s head was turned by Steve’s idol, former professional footballer Tommy Orpington.
Following their split, Steve moved on with Cassie Plummer (Claire Sweeney), much to Tracy’s horror, though their relationship soured when Cassie was caught out for drugging Ken Barlow (William Roache).
Having always suspected that Cassie was up to something, Tracy sets about getting her own justice this week when she offers recovering addict Cassie drugs.
As well as wanting to see Cassie face ‘karmic punishment’ for her actions, it’s her relationship with Steve that also drives Tracy to such extreme lengths.
‘What [Cassie] did to Ken was extreme and Tracy’s really angry that it’s gone seemingly unpunished, especially because Steve still seems to find her attractive,’ actress Kate Ford explained.
‘It’s not that Tracy wants Steve, but she can’t believe that he would still think that and it’s like this woman has just got away with it.’
However, Kate insists that Tracy isn’t jealous of Cassie’s relationship with Steve, as that boat has well and truly sailed for her for a very specific reason.
‘I think Tracy’s quite happy to be out of the relationship with Steve because she just got so bored of him.
‘I think she’s just happy with Steve being Amy’s dad and keeping him in the friend zone.’
Steve isn’t the only romantic partner Tracy has had, and two more prominent men in her life are set to re-enter the picture in the coming days.
Firstly, current partner Tommy arrives this week to inform her that he has accepted a coaching job in Southampton, but when Tracy refuses to move, she forces him to choose between her and the job.
Next week, drama unfolds as former flame Rob Donovan (Marc Baylis) comes crashing back into her life amid his prison escape plot. But who does Kate think was the love of Tracy’s life?
‘She really loved Rob but so much happened there to take that away,’ she reflected.
‘I think Tommy would have been the one, but I think he’s just so obsessed with football that she never came first.
‘I think if he’d have had a different mindset, she would have been so happy with him, but he’s just obsessed with football and she can’t compete with that.
‘I think out of all her relationships she really wanted this one to work the most.’
