Angie is taken aback when Jude wants them to renew their vows
As her alter ego’s rocky marriage with Jude looks set to fall apart, Victoria Ekanoye reckons tough love is the answer…
The writing has been on the wall for Jude and Angie’s marriage for quite some time now – and not even a half-hearted attempt at counselling has unearthed any reason why the struggling couple would be better together than apart.
And let’s face it, when your husband nearly forgets your second anniversary – then cobbles together a heart-shaped cushion with your face plastered all over it as a supposedly romantic gift – it doesn’t bode well at all! So no wonder Victoria Ekanoye, who plays Angie, has some rather robust advice for her miserable alter ego…
“Let him go, Angie!” wails the star, as she joins us for an honest chat. “It’s the end now. Angie is exhausted from trying to make it work, and no matter what she does, she doesn’t feel the way she should towards her husband any more. So my advice to Angie at this point would have to be just get out – Jude’s clearly not the man for you!”
While the breakdown of any relationship is never ideal, eventually the truth must be faced. Particularly the significant fact that Angie shared a passionate snog with hunky lawyer Adam a couple of months back! Although it’s clear that Angie has always remained more pragmatic than her husband, she’s set to hit an obstacle in her bid to let Jude down gently this week – as he colludes with his oblivious mother Mary in plotting a secret vow renewal for him and Angie. But how will she feel when she discovers this?
“It’ll be scary,” sighs Victoria. “Angie hasn’t realised just how deluded and in denial Jude is. So when she eventually finds out about this surprise renewal, it’ll be a massive blow. It’ll feel like she’s being railroaded into staying in a relationship that she doesn’t want to be in any longer.
“She wouldn’t be angry with Mary, who just wants her son to be happy.
But as far as Jude is concerned, Angie will be raging – it’s entrapment! Angie is going to feel betrayed and a little bit stupid, because she’s a smart woman, and should know better…”
It’s true that Jude has no excuse for clinging to pointless romanticism – as earlier in the week, Angie finally finds the strength to insist that their marriage is over. Regardless, he ploughs on, convinced that his and Mary’s clandestine scheme will save his imploding relationship. But it’s certain to wreck any hope Angie had of sparing Jude’s feelings in the process…
“The marriage is done – yet Angie wants to break away from Jude as kindly as possible,” insists Victoria. “He’s the father of her child, and she’s going through a myriad of emotions. She did love him, so she’s still feeling hurt and upset. But even if she could manage to forgive him for lying about the fact he was a marine biologist, why is he still lying to her now – and is he ever going to stop?”
It’s a fair question, and we definitely don’t envy Jude once Angie discovers she’s been set up to marry him all over again! Our only dread, though, is the inevitable falling-out between Angie and her enthusiastic mother-inlaw, Mary. And Victoria would miss working as closely with Patti Clare, who plays her, as a result…
“I’ve really lucked out with Patti,” grins the actress, who trod the boards in West End musical The Lion King prior to joining Corrie last year. “Yes, Mary’s all guns blazing, and a lot of people thought Angie was a right cow when she first arrived on the cobbles and gave her a hard time, because Mary is so well-loved. But I’m yet to film a scene with Patti where she hasn’t made me laugh when I shouldn’t have!”