Martin Hancock has shared what soap fame feels like the second time around following his return to the cobbles in the summer. Coronation Street fans were thrilled to see a much-loved character back on the cobbles 19 years after his exit from the ITV soap.
Eco-warrior Spider Nugent, played by Martin Hancock, unexpectedly reappeared in his ex Toyah Habeeb's life in the middle of a protest. In recent weeks, a lonely Toyah has been nervously awaiting her trial for Imran’s murder earlier this year. They have seen her growing closer and closer to ex Spider as she attempts to distract herself from her grief.
And her guilt as it has already been revealed that Toyah will confess all about deliberately crashing the car before Imran went into cardiac arrest and died at the scene.
READ MORE: ITV Coronation Street's Peter Barlow risks Spider's police cover being blown in brawl scenes
Earlier this week, viewers watched as Spider begged Toyah to cut ties with Griff, revealing he’s in love with her and his marriage is over. As they kissed on the balcony, agreeing to keep their relationship under wraps until after the trial, a furious Saira, Imran's mum, was seen staring up at them.
And later, viewers of the ITV soap were stunned when it was revealed that the recently returned character is actually working undercover for the police as they saw him approached by DS Swain and asked for intel on Toyah.
When asked how hard he is being pushed by the no-nonsense DS Swain, Martin told the Manchester Evening News and other press: "It’s really tough, she really turns the screw on Spider and places him in an almost impossible position and the cliffhanger is, does he crumble or does he not?"
But Martin did have praise for Vicky Myers, who plays Weatherfield's tough cop in the ITV soap. "He's being pushed really hard by DS Swain who is played brilliantly by Vicky Myers. You couldn't meet someone that's further away that the character she plays - this hard-nosed, tough cop. She plays it so well."
As for how he's finding his latest time on the cobbles, Martin said: "Second time around I’m older and wiser and calmer. I’m able to enjoy it a lot more. It’s been really very pleasant and lovely, working with Georgia [Taylor] again and Jane [Danson]. I do really really love working with them. And a lot of the crew are the same as well, so it’s lovely seeing everyone again. It’s all very positive."
He continued: "In public, it's been really nice. It’s not been as abusive as the first time around, so far! People have been very very kind, and they are really happy to see Spider back. I think people are quite concerned that I make sure Toyah’s okay. Everyone is very concerned about Toyah."
And it was hard for him to keep Spider's secret from everyone, especially as Corrie fans started to work Spider out. It’s been hilarious trying to keep it to myself, “ Martin admitted. “The amount of sleuth work my friends have been getting up to trying to work out what it is and all the little games they do to try and get it out of you… it’s been quite difficult. But it has been fun. I’ve enjoyed some of the speculation as well.”
Teasing what more is to come of the storyline, Martin added: "There are a few issues in the world today that we’re going to address, there’s some quite nasty stuff going on, and we’re going to start dipping into some of that. At the same time it’s still Spider but he’s just getting, in a way, even more radical, because he’s going after some really dangerous stuff."
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