Corrie star explains long wait for George and Eileen romance

Coronation Street star Tony Maudsley has opened up about his character George Shuttleworth's relationship with Eileen Grimshaw, and why it's taking them both so long to get together.

The pair haven't exactly had the easiest path to romance, but there has been a reason for that – they didn't want to rush into it as Corrie bosses didn't think viewers would like it too much.

Maudsley said that "the viewers are so protective over Eileen" they wanted to take things slowly as she had such a rough time with Pat Phelan.

george shuttleworth and eileen grimshaw in coronation street

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"It has taken a while, he has been eased into the show very gradually over the past 12 months," he said. "He was flagged as a new love interest for Eileen but if he had got with her too quickly people wouldn't have liked it, it would have jarred as the viewers are so protective over Eileen.

"Sue has been on the show 21 years and but with all the problems Eileen has had with men, I think the viewers are on George's side. He makes her smile, he is a sensitive softy. They want Eileen to be happy and in George, she might finally have found that, if she would only let her guard down!"

George is very clearly besotted with Eileen, with the actor saying he "admires her strength, she is such a strong woman and not an easy woman to woo. She presents challenges for him every step of the way".

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However, as time is going on George begins to feel like he might be wasting his time, though there is the issue of Phelan's ashes to contend with – but that is something that may well bring them together for good.

But, Maudsley really hopes things aren't too easy for them going forward.

"We have established that those two can bicker over anything, George does keep going back for more but he is not totally soft, he doesn't let Eileen get away with too much and walk all over him.