Coronation Street star Tisha Merry says she threw herself into blackmail storyline

CORRIE star Tisha Merry’s latest storyline felt so real she almost suffered an on-set panic attack.

Steph Britton, 21-year-old Tisha’s character, is at the heart of a distressing blackmail story centred on nude pictures of her.

And Lancashire lass Tisha opened up to The Sunday Post about the angst brought on by the images taken by Steph’s ex-boyfriend Jamie.

“Playing Steph, I put myself in her position every day,” she confides as she finishes another super-busy week’s filming.

“I always think how I would feel. With Jamie she’s calling his bluff, pushing him.

“I went into the scene like it was happening to me. So when he hits the button on the phone to send the pictures my eyes automatically started filling up and my heart was beating so fast.

“It was horrible but it was so easy to imagine how awful it would feel.”

The pictures were taken one drunken night and she’d forgotten all about them.

But they’ve come back to haunt poor Steph after an in-debt Jamie starts illegal car racing.

He uses word of the images to force her reluctant bother Luke to get behind the wheel with Steph sickened this week after she discovers the awful truth behind the danger he’s putting himself in.

Distressing though the subject matter is, it’s sadly something others have faced for real. And Tisha says she hopes bringing it to the screen will prove thought-provoking.

“People need to watch it and see the repercussions,” she says firmly.

“If anyone does have such pictures they have to realise what they could do. How they can cause paranoia, arguments and mess up so many lives.

“If anyone has pictures like that I’d like to think that they’d respect the person enough to delete them.”

Tisha says that being the focus of such a key storyline has been a real gift.

“It’s been brilliant,” she admits. “I’ve been trying to show Steph isn’t just ‘the bubbly one in the bistro’.

“There’s a lot more to her and a lot more I can give. I got so excited doing it that I can’t wait for people to see it. And hopefully it’ll help people, too.”

It’s almost three years since Tisha, who still stays at home with her parents and sisters in Leyland, Lancashire, joined the nation’s most famous soap.

Endearingly, the former receptionist can still remember getting the call at the office where her mum also worked, dashing around to share the good news.

“I haven’t changed in myself, I remain the same,” she insists.

“But a lot of aspects of my life have changed. I used to be able walk down the road and no one would bat an eyelid.

“Now, because millions of people watch Coronation Street, you become more recognisable.”

Tisha in Corrie (ITV)

There’s not a hint of complaint from the likeable young actress, though, and she says it’s all been a change for the best.

She speaks about the opportunities that have presented themselves and the things she’s seen and been part of because of her dream job.

One in particular comes to mind and has her giggling at its sheer surrealism.

“About a year and a half ago a few of us were on This Morning and we were sitting in our little dressing room when Julie Andrews walked in.

“Oh, my gosh, it was crazy. She was so graceful, elegant and beautiful. Her make-up was perfect and she had this little jacket slung over her shoulder.

“I remember thinking, ‘This is Mary Poppins!’ and had to get another quick look before she went.”

Life may have changed in so many ways since that February day in 2013 that Katy Armstrong’s friend Steph made her debut.

But it’s obvious that down-to-earth Tisha isn’t taking anything for granted.

“Sometimes there are times when I’m filming outside and you’re looking at the Street all lit up and you think, ‘Wow! I’m on Corrie’.

“It’s still a bit daunting and bonkers.”10 things I treasure: Suranne Jones – click here to read more