Coronation Street star Beth Nixon has spoken out for the first time since her character Megan Walsh was sentenced to five years in prison for grooming and sexually abusing a student. The actress revealed she always knew Megan would face justice and hinted at a potential return to the ITV soap.
Megan's Arrival and Grooming Plot
Nixon made her debut as Megan Walsh last year when the character arrived in Weatherfield as Will Driscoll's athletics coach. Will had been reluctant to leave Hull after his father Ben Driscoll moved to the cobbles to run the Rovers Return with partner Eva Price. To keep Will happy, Megan was invited to join the family in Weatherfield.
Viewers soon discovered that Will's reluctance to leave Hull stemmed from a secret relationship with Megan, which turned out to be a grooming plot. The pair slept together just after Will turned 16.
Truth Exposed and Justice Delayed
The truth emerged months later when Sam Blakeman, who had been threatened by Megan into silence, ended up in hospital and confessed to stepmother Leanne Battersby and Will's stepmother Eva Price. Initially, Will backed Megan's false story that he had an uncontrollable crush. However, after an intervention by neighbor Tim Metcalfe, Will finally told police the truth.
Detective Sergeant Lisa Connor-Swain charged Megan, but she pleaded not guilty and was released on bail pending trial.
Courtroom Drama and Sentencing
Last week, the trial concluded. Will initially told the court he lied about the relationship but later took the stand again, confirming Megan's lies. The teacher was found guilty on two charges: inciting a child into sexual activity and being in a position of trust. She was sentenced to five years in prison. Megan broke down in tears, lashing out and branding Will a liar, vowing to appeal.
Beth Nixon Speaks on Megan's Fate
Speaking to Inside Soap on their Soap Scoop podcast, Nixon said: "When I first took the role we didn't know fully what was going to happen, how long it was going to be and how long she was going to be there for. But it was always that she wasn't ever going to escape justice by being killed or anything like that."
She added: "We always knew that she was going to serve her time. It shows the whole process of it. It's quite nice, because it's showing what all the family are going through – how they're supporting Will and how it's affecting them. It's definitely important to show that, if you are being abused, then you can get justice. It's really hard because it doesn't always happen that way..."
Hint at Return
Despite Megan's imprisonment, Nixon does not want this to be the end. "I'd love any opportunity to come back," she shared. "I loved it so much and I cried so much on my last day. It's just such a fab place to work and I felt so blessed to have been given the storyline."
