00:00Now though, Coronation Street star Kate Hitton is with me. She of course plays Lauren, who right now is at the centre of a very harrowing storyline about spiking.
00:30Well Kate joins me now, I'm so glad Kate that you're doing this storyline because I was really shocked to find this is not uncommon, you know, it happens to an awful lot of young women and young men as well, so it's great that you're highlighting it, you know, you're making people more aware to be more careful when they're out and about.
00:54Yeah, definitely. I mean, I wasn't really a party animal growing up but I know a lot of people that do go out and, you know, I think it's really important to raise awareness on this because it, like you said, it is really common now and not just with women but with men, you know, there's different sorts of spiking now, it's not just in liquid form, it's also in injection form, so it's just raising awareness and, you know, because my platform specifically targets younger people, you know, this storyline was brilliant for me
01:23because it actually allowed me to hear people's stories and hear how people have kind of adapted to that and how they kind of take precautions now when they go out.
01:30No, very much so and so you should, I mean, that should always be at the forefront of your mind, shouldn't it?
01:35Don't leave your drink lying around, don't do that when you go to Lou, finish your drink before you go, all of these things.
01:42And just surround yourself by people that you actually need.
01:44Yes, the terrible thing about this is though, it's wee Addy who, you know, the two of them are getting closer and he's adorable but, but, but, but, but, it was his fault.
01:56It was, it was his fault.
01:57I mean, to an extent, don't do drugs.
02:01Yeah, exactly.
02:02So, also, another thing to also, you know, keep in your mind is don't drink other people's drinks because it is very easy when you do have, you know, alcohol in your system to easily go, oh, that's mine.
02:13Yeah.
02:13It's not just be so careful and so sure.
02:16I mean, I think the thing with this is, you know, Addy didn't do it deliberately.
02:19No.
02:19But the fact that he hasn't come clean about it, I think that's going to have its consequences.
02:24Oh, it absolutely is.
02:26Crikey, Kate, the things that have happened to this character.
02:29What a joy, though, to play.
02:32I mean, she must be fantastic.
02:34She never knew what she's going to do next.
02:35She's incredible.
02:36I, I feel really protective over her because I see very, a lot of elements that I can really relate to.
02:42And I think because she went in as like a three-month character, that was it.
02:46She had no backstory, really.
02:47I kind of had to do that myself.
02:49Yeah.
02:49And I'm so grateful for the gods above her in Corrie that gave me the opportunity to come back and to just dive into her background and dive into what she's been through.
02:58Well, she came back to save Roy.
03:00Look at the sea.
03:01And I know you and David get on really well.
03:05And isn't he the loveliest man that ever was?
03:07He's amazing.
03:08And I learn something about him every single day.
03:12And I've learned my craft from him.
03:13And I think being a massive fan of the show growing up, I looked up to all these iconic characters.
03:19And I remember the first day that I stepped on the set of Roy's Rolls.
03:22And I was so fast-struck.
03:24Of course.
03:24Speaking David.
03:25Yes.
03:25And he just came up to me and went, hey, kid, you okay?
03:27And it just made me feel like, okay, I'm okay.
03:30Like, I belong here.
03:32This is home.
03:32And it is.
03:33And that set is like my home.
03:36I've been there for...
03:36Because you said you're from a tiny child.
03:40You used to go visit the set when you were five.
03:42I did.
03:42I mean, we've got a photo of you.
03:43Now, what age would you be there behind the Rovers on the tour?
03:47I was nine there.
03:49And I remember after we took that picture, I said, Mum, I really, really want to be in Bahamut.
03:54You never know one day you might be in Coronation Street.
03:57And you are.
03:57And I'm here and I'm doing it.
03:59And it's like a full circle moment.
04:01And it's crazy.
04:02I mean, you know yourself walking down that street.
04:04It's so nostalgic.
04:06It's incredible.
04:06And that feeling never goes away.
04:08Even when I walk down that street now, and I've been there for nearly three years.
04:11It'll be three years this shit.
04:12It is not.
04:13It was three years.
04:14Oh, yeah.
04:14Yeah, yeah.
04:15Wow.
04:16I bet for you that's going by.
04:17Oh, it was so quick.
04:18But you know what was so interesting?
04:19I remember, and fans of Britain's Got Talent will remember, that you were part of a group in 2020, I believe.
04:27There you are.
04:28There you are.
04:28Oh.
04:29Such a great thing.
04:30Because you're fantastic singers in the choir, but you also use sign language.
04:34Yeah, yeah, I did.
04:35But how great thing was that?
04:36It was amazing.
04:37It was incredible.
04:38I mean, we did it to kind of raise awareness on being inclusive and how love is to be so important.
04:43And how no matter what's thrown at you, you know, nothing can stop you.
04:47If you're committed and you're driven, you can do it.
04:49And that's what Jade did with her brother, Christian.
04:52And it's amazing because she's pushing those boundaries.
04:54You know, he was told that he'd never do all these things.
04:57And now he's doing it.
04:59It's inspiring.
05:00It's brilliant.
05:00What I love about you is you are living your dream.
05:03I am.
05:03You absolutely love it.
05:04I'm living in a dream.
05:05Exactly.
05:06And she's not going anywhere.
05:08The thing about this character is she's got so many different connections on the street.
05:12And who knows what could happen next week.
05:16Genuinely don't.
05:18I mean, you must, when you get the script to him, you must say, you can't tell.
05:21Well, no.
05:22No, for the thing, you actually don't have a clue.
05:24And it's like when I had a storyline, I don't know if you remember it, but I had a storyline with David.
05:29Yeah.
05:29The first scenes that I had with him, and I had to come on to him and see him.
05:32And I remember opening this script and going, everyone's going to hate me.
05:36Everyone is going to hate me.
05:37But it was important because it's shown exactly how she's been treated in the past.
05:41And David and Rye, because obviously David has a lot of aspects of Rye.
05:45But Rye, he's very, very caring.
05:47He looks out for people that are from the rough side of the tracks.
05:49Of course you don't.
05:50It made the bond stronger.
05:51So I understand what they did, and I'm very grateful for what they did because it opened
05:54this relationship to Lauren and Rye.
05:57And it's lovely.
05:58But it's great.
05:59Now, look, congratulations.
06:00You've been nominated Best Soap Actress in the Inside Soap Awards.
06:04Have you got your froke?
06:05I haven't.
06:06Oh, I haven't.
06:07Do you know what, Lauren?
06:08I'm usually a soccer player.
06:09But I was so shocked that I was even considered.
06:12It's wonderful.
06:12I was so shocked because that list of amazing, empowering women that are so talented, I was
06:18like, that's a win in itself for me.
06:21Yes.
06:21Do you know what I mean?
06:21That's enough.
06:22If I get to the shot, it's brilliant.
06:24If I don't, I won.
06:25Do you know what I mean?
06:26And that's the way I take it.
06:27But now I haven't got froke enough.
06:28You'll be like, look, that was for the British Super Wars, wasn't it?
06:33It was.
06:33You look fabulous.
06:35And that is Oscar worthy, is that?
06:37Well, I've just got to mention the beautiful lady that designed this.
06:42It was in memory of a young Lepoddlian girl who lost her life to cancer.
06:47Oh, gee.
06:47And she was on TikTok.
06:49She made the world such a brighter place.
06:52And we always remember Leah for her strong positivity.
06:54And May Say Penis and Cream, which is the brand, had made that in Leah's remembrance.
06:59So I decided to wear that to bring Leah's memory to life.
07:02Oh, Kate, that's gorgeous.
07:03I love that.
07:04That's absolutely beautiful.
07:06I love when there's a story behind you.
07:08Yeah.
07:08Which is great.
07:09Look, Coronation Street continues.
07:11Tomorrow night at 8 o'clock, we shall find out what is happening with Lauren and with reality.
07:18Probably so.
07:19Thank you for coming in.
07:20Thank you for coming in.
07:21You're a breath of fresh air.
07:22And I want you to be on that street for as long as Ken Barlow.
07:26So there.
07:28Right, Dr. Mia's got news about medical breakthrough after the break.
