Coronation Street actress Vicky Myers teased whether DS Swain will be the one to bring down villain Joel Deering, as she discussed the 'important' grooming storyline

Coronation Street's DS Swain could be the one to bring down villain Joel Deering when he faces his comeuppance.

There's no clues yet as to when Joel's lies will be uncovered, and if he will be leaving the show. But the actor playing him has previously talked of his character having a short shelf life, as he will eventually have to be found out for his crimes.

Joel was revealed to be the person who killed Lauren Bolton earlier this year, while he's also been grooming other girls. Setting up Nathan Curtis for Lauren's murder, he's remained undetected while he now seems to be targeting teenager Sabrina.

But at some point Joel will likely be exposed, and DS Swain actress Vicky Myers hopes her character will be involved. Sharing her hopes that the women of Weatherfield will take him down, Vicky spoke exclusively to The Mirror about what could come next, and the importance of the soap's latest dark storyline.

She told us on Swain's possible reaction to the truth about Joel: "[I don't think she will be kicking herself]. He's done it so cleverly and deviously that he's duped so many people. He is in a position of trust, and he's massively abused that trust.

Coronation Street actress Vicky Myers teased whether DS Swain will be the one to bring down villain Joel Deering (
Image:
ITV)
"I think there is that female empowerment and they shall rise up to bring him down... I hope that's what happens." When asked about what could lead to Joel's downfall, if and when it happens, she teased "who knows" and said: "I think it's important to have every woman he's wronged, cos there's a whole host of women along the line.

"There's [that] female empowerment and that is the embodiment of this show, strong female characters. So I feel like he has been ruling the roost for a bit too long. It would be brilliant each of them having their day individually or collectively.

"I'd absolutely love for Swain and Joel to have that little moment." On the importance of the storyline, she told us: "I've spoken to Maggie Oliver (founder of The Maggie Oliver Foundation) who has been absolutely brilliant. She's been wonderful with offering advice and guidance, explaining her experience and story.

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"There's relevance with that that I'd like to bring into it and the scriptwriters have been fully supportive. I'm interested to explore all of that, but also the bigger picture of raising awareness about grooming, because a lot of survivors don't realise they've been groomed.

"So that's one of the many serious aspects of this, raising awareness and education. With Lauren it runs deep because [Swain] wants to know what happened. It's not over yet, as far as she's concerned there's more evidence out there but cases do move on.

"With Nathan Curtis inside, that's that… but she likes to be the voice of the victim because Lauren's not here. She wants to speak on behalf of her."

Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITV X. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok, Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads.

Shirley Ballas has suggested a major change to the new series of Strictly Come Dancing after Giovanni Pernice's shocking exit from the BBC series

Shirley Ballas has suggested a major change to Strictly Come Dancing.

The Strictly judge spoke to The Mirror at the TRIC Awards earlier in the week hot on the heels of it being confirmed that Giovanni Pernice was not returning to the BBC Latin and ballroom show. Shirley has spoken out in support of Giovanni over the recent weeks, where she threw her support behind the dancer and said "the truth will come out".

"I know he is a hard worker. He wants the people to do the very best that they can do. Obviously in my life I was bullied a lot. I don't condone bullying on any path but also I don't believe gossip and what you read in the newspapers because things get escalated and they are blown way out of all proportion and it can turn into a great big snowball," she said recently.

"So my feeling for Giovanni is, let them do this investigation or whatever it is they are doing and the truth will come out. So we don’t judge anybody until I know absolutely 100 per cent. I won’t pass on the gossip unless I know 100 per cent it is true. I have never ever, ever experienced any ill will or bad feeling or bad sportsmanship or rudeness from him. He will be missed."

Giovanni and Shirley are good friends (
Image:
No credit)

Shirley is back as a judge on the new series (
Image:
PA)

She also revealed she had just spoken to Giovanni that day, adding: "I just spoke to Giovanni 30 minutes before coming here and I am going to one of his Ballando classes to teach the jive (with Anton). He is coming to my party with Anton on Sunday. You know, I can only talk from my own perspective. I have known Giovanni for 10 years. My mother loves him. It does not matter when he is on tour, or where he is or what he is doing, he will make his way across and he will say ‘Lovely to see you Shirley. Lovely to see your mum.’

"I have got so many beautiful pictures, of the times that he spent, particularly when my mum was poorly, and he reached out. So he has always been to me, and I will make that clear, to me... a perfect gentleman."

Speaking exclusively to The Mirror at the TRIC Awards, she was asked which celebrity she'd like to see do the show. She told us: "Anyone from the Royal Family, or a member of the public - can you Cha Cha Cha darling?"

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