Coronation Street star opens up on Curtis's lies being exposed

Coronation Street spoilers follow.

Coronation Street star Sam Retford has opened up about what's to come for his character Curtis Delamere, after his girlfriend Emma Brooker learns that he's been feigning his terminal illness.

In scenes set to air from Monday, December 13 onwards, Emma (Alexandra Mardell) will be seen confronting Curtis over his "heart medication", having discovered that he has been pretending to take pills all the time she's known him because, in actuality, they're just vitamins.

Detailing Curtis's state of mind during the tense chat, Retford told Digital Spy and other media that he's incredibly anxious, before revealing that he initially tries to "lie his way out of it" to keep his relationship from breaking down.

ITV

"He wants to grasp on to his safety net," the actor explained. "Emma eventually breaks him down to the point where he feels able enough to be honest with her. I think it's the first time he's been honest in his entire life, so that was a beautiful moment to play with Ali."

When asked to talk about Emma's reaction to the fact that Curtis has a Factitious Disorder, a mental illness whereby people deceive others by pretending to be ill, Retford added: "It's really difficult. She sits in such an emotionally mature realm within the relationship.

"She's allowed to have her own emotional battle about the relationship, and her internal turmoil, yet knows there's a person there who she loves who she is willing to stand with and help. I think that's really beautiful and de-villainises his disorder immensely.

He went on to talk about the "immense challenge" Curtis is gearing up to face when it comes to getting help, and how his youth is going to prove a rather unexpected obstacle in his long road to (possible) recovery.

curtis delamere and emma brooker in coronation street

ITV

"Remapping the way you think at such a young age when your brain is still developing, remapping entire neuro-pathways and how you view and build relationships is a huge thing to do," the 22 year old said. "I think he wants it but it's only really possible with other people there to help you.

"In his head, it's like he's been shown a light," Retford said of Curtis's confession to Emma. "This is a miracle that he's been able to be honest with someone and she has not run away – he never saw that as a possible reality in his head. Now that's happened he's going to do everything he can mentally to retain that."

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7.30pm on ITV.