Coronation Street spoiler: Could Mel be about to save Bethany from sick groomer Nathan?
MEL MAGUIRE actress Sonia Ibrahim has revealed her character's secret past with groomer Nathan Curtis on Coronation Street.
Coronation Street: Bethany was forced into sleeping with one of Nathan's friends on Friday
Coronation Street: Bethany is forced into bed with Neil
Mel, who works as an assistant at the tanning salon, is Nathan's (played by Chris Harper) secret girlfriend and is aware of his plan to involve Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) in a sex ring.
On last Friday's episode, things took an even darker turn as the teenager was forced to sleep with creepy Neil while her boyfriend ignored her pleas for help.
In scenes set to air this week, Nathan will propose to Bethany, which Sonia explained is to keep her from returning to the safety of her family.
“It’s to make Bethany believe that Nathan [Chris Harper] really does love her, and make her feel bad for wanting to go back home," she explained to Soaplife. "It’s Nathan controlling Bethany again.”
Coronation Street: Bethany was forced into sleeping with one of Nathan's friends on Friday
Coronation Street: Nathan will continue to control Bethany by proposing
Mel is worried for Bethany – she knows what’s coming
Sonia hinted that Mel had gone through a similar experience herself and is feeling miserable about being involved in Nathan's evil plan.
She continued: “Bethany is so happy. But Mel is worried for Bethany – she knows what’s coming, she knows it’s not real and she knows how horrible the reality is.
“Mel doesn’t want Bethany to be really happy about this because she knows it will break the young girl’s heart."
Sonia said Mel is "petrified" of Nathan but still loves him, which is preventing her from speaking out about his abuse.
Coronation Street actress Sonia Ibrahim hinted that Mel had been through a similar ordeal herself
She added: “Even though he is doing all this with Bethany, Mel hopes Nathan is still going to come back to her. Mel is petrified of him, but she is also slightly jealous of Bethany.
“Because in a weird way Mel loves Nathan, too. To begin with, Nathan just seemed like the most perfect man who loved her, doted on her, bought her things, made her feel special and that’s all she ever wanted because she never had that."
Coronation Street continues tomorrow night at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.