Chris Harper says he has no worries about being Coronation Street’s new bad boy

CORRIE star Chris Harper says he has no worries about being cast as the soap’s new bad boy.

Chris played Victoria Wood’s son in drama Housewife, 49 and also starred in the BBC’s remake of Upstairs Downstairs.

But his Weatherfield character, Nathan, couldn’t be more different. Since Nathan appeared he’s made an unsavoury beeline for teenager Bethany in a hard-hitting grooming storyline.

However Chris, who says he “knew at the audition he wasn’t a nice guy”, is comfortable with the situation.

“It is important to raise awareness of the issue the story is about as it’s an one that affects lots of people in lots of different degrees,” he says.

“I’m not worried about how people might take Nathan, because what I really want is people to look out for Bethany and for the Bethanys in their lives.”

The convincing portrayal of the unhealthy interest is such that Chris admits he’s even seen the camera crew squirm uncomfortably at certain scenes.

However, his real-life relationship with Lucy Fallon, who plays Bethany, has made the job easier.

“Lucy is great to work with,” he confides. “We are very matter-of-fact with each other.

“But sometimes Nathan is so intense with Bethany without needing to kiss her so some of the lines he says that are really intimate.”

This week sees Nathan arrested on suspicion of abduction and he tries to get Bethany to lie for him and provide an alibi.

“If she does provide him with one it lets him know that she is further into his web,” adds Chris.

“It’s a real knife edge for him – will she or won’t she? “If she does, he has got her. If she doesn’t, he’s in hot water.”

Coronation Street, ITV, Mon, Wed, Thu & Fri.