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| Chris Gascoyne plays Peter Barlow on ITV's Coronation Street. |
CORRIE'S CHRIS GASCOYNE
On this week’s CORONATION STREET — We have an Exclusive Q&A with Chris Gascoyne who plays Peter Barlow.
How is Peter feeling about being back on the street?
Peter has got a few things that he needs to sort out but he’s finding some level ground. He is building a very good relationship with Leanne and he is trying with Nick... but he isn’t reciprocating it. But Peter is doing good overall, he just needs to do the things that he needs to sort out.
Is he ready to make a new start?
Peter is definitely ready to make a new start but there has got to be a particular time when he can do it. There are certain things that happened before he came back to the Street that need to come to fruition before he can really settle down and start again.
Is he still in trouble elsewhere? If so, how is he going to deal with it?
He’s not really in trouble elsewhere, but of course it will cause trouble, it’s Peter! I have a feeling that it is probably going to be a bigger deal to everyone else than he thinks it will be.
Could you say that he is not being completely truthful with his family members?
Well he isn’t being completely truthful with his family members, but only because he feels a sense of protection. However, I think don’t think he realises that this could possibly have an emotional impact on other characters.
How does he feel about Leanne?
Peter has always been great with Leanne, they really get on together and she is a great mum to Simon. The relationship seems to be maturing and growing into something that has got really deep roots because of Simon and their past.
What does Peter make of Nick and Leanne together?
Peter just wants Leanne to be happy, he knows that he couldn’t make her happy but hopes that Nick can. He is really pleased for her that she is having a baby. As far as Nick is concerned, he has kind of left that alone - Peter thinks he is an idiot.
Is Nick right to be so wary of Peter?
Sometimes Nick’s actions towards Peter are valid, but other times Nick is a real worrier and he gets paranoid. There is always something that Peter will be doing, that no one else can see apart from Nick so he is possibly right to be wary of Peter most of the time.
Does Peter think he’s a match for Nick – does Nick bother Peter?
It’s always an interesting one because the balance always shifts. I kind of like that, nobody wins and nobody loses overall - it is like Mike Baldwin and Ken Barlow. Nick likes to say things like ‘I’m a better man than Peter’ but Peter finds that embarrassing really. I have had a lot of nice scenes with Ben that I have really enjoyed doing because even if they are having a nice conversation at face value, what’s happening between them is a very different story.
What does Peter make of Adam and Daniel being back?
It’s nice for me to have a couple of Barlow boys back on the street. Although it was a bit of an initial shock to see Daniel, Peter sees himself in him, and certainly what Daniel has been through with Ken - feeling abandoned and having to fend for himself. He is looking after him and understanding him. Adam has always been a bit flash and Peter has never been quite sure about him but he feels very guilty about not paying him attention after Susan died so he tries to make up for it in certain ways.
Why is he suspicious of Daniel?
Peter is suspicious of Daniel because he is quite evasive; he is very bright but he is not telling the truth and Peter knows it. Peter just feels as though he needs to know who he is if he is going to be let into the family.
Will he tell Ken what’s going on? Or try and a deal with it himself?
Peter really wants to involve Ken so it is not just on Peter, but he can’t bring himself to do it as Ken is in no fit state to deal with any emotional impact.
Is he looking out for Ken’s interests in taking Daniel to the police station, or his own?
Peter is looking out for Daniel, there is nothing to gain from the situation for Peter. He just genuinely wants to help
How does he feel about missing Simon’s counselling session?
He feels terrible but Peter is a person who is very caught up in the moment and when he is working on something, everything else will go out of his mind. The good thing about Peter is that he always admits when he is in the wrong. I really like that about him.
Do you feel as though he is genuinely sorry?
Peter is not a calculated person, but his life becomes calculated when he has gotten himself in a position and doesn’t want to hurt anybody. I know it sounds like I am justifying the character but I think overall he’s a pretty good guy, that’s how it feels when I am playing him. He is just a little bit lost and he gets it wrong most of the time but he’s not malicious, well, unless it’s towards Nick.
For an actor, it must be great to play a character like that?
Everyone has different opinions on Peter, depending on how they receive the programme which is great drama really. There is many ways you can look at Peter and that is exciting for me as an actor. Peter likes danger, he has to live on the edge of something because that keeps him alive and vibrant. I think that’s the interest to him, he dares to do what other people wouldn’t. He shouldn’t be doing that and he knows it but he just says ‘I don’t care, we’ll see what happens.’”
Is he trying to be a better Dad to Simon? Can he be?
Peter does love Simon, he’s not a bad dad and he does care about him more than anyone. He just finds that he is not cut out to be the perfect dad, but who is?
‘CORONATION STREET, is on every MONDAY and FRIDAY (7:30-8:00 & 8:30-9:00) and WEDNESDAY's on (7:30-8:00) ON ITV1’.