Who else wanted to step into their telly and give Corrie’s Craig Tinker a big hug after his total NIGHTMARE in the witness box? Poor Craig, who was practically shaking with nerves, was ripped apart by Nathan’s legal team as he gave evidence.
As we know Craig was the legend who finally took down bent copper, Neil Clifton, by recording him making a confession about his part in evil Nathan Curtis’ sex ring.
Brave Craig risked his safety – and his career – when he turned his former mentor into the police. Craig had to summon up his last reserves of bravery in tonight’s first ep, when he stepped into the witness box.
Mum, Beth had already seen how scared her son was and reminded him that he didn’t have to go through with it if he didn’t want to. But loyal Craig – who we really want as a best friend, please – knew he couldn’t let Bethany down.
“How did you turn out so marvellous?” his mum asked him. He is pretty marvellous.
Things got off to a shaky start for the rookie cop when the defence lawayer asked him if he considered himself a popular person.
Poor Craig was thrown by the line of questioning: “Not really. I have mates,” he replied.
The barrister didn’t stop there and went in on him again, suggesting he was making up his version of events to make a name for himself in the police force.
He then went on to say that special constables (for that is what Craig is) are mocked on the street.
“You must have heard the terms Plastic Coppers and CHIMPS, completely hopeless in most policing situations,” the mean old lawyer said to Craig.
Craig responded by saying: “What those guys did was ruin young girls lives, Bethany was lucky.” He clearly meant she was lucky to escape, but the barrister jumped on his choice of words.
He then accused Craig of lying, saying he was only trying to impress a pretty girl and his bosses.
He even laughed at the poor lad for getting his 24-hour clock wrong. Something Craig was kicking himself over later.
“I can tell the time,” Craig said.
“That’s good to know,” smirked the legal eagle.
Twitter was full of sympathy…
Later, nasty Neil took to the stand and put on an Oscar-winning performance as a victim himself. He claimed that Bethany had seduced him to make Nathan jealous.
Viewers were also outraged to discover his eldest daughter is 17, just a year younger than Bethany.
The ep ended with Nathan’s barrister advising him not to give evidence because he isn’t likeable enough. Yeah, we’ve all seen his smug-face in the background.
Of course, Nathan wants his own moment in the limelight. As Shona said: “This is gonna be Oscar-winning.”