Difficult relationships between parents and children – of all ages – are common, but they don’t come much more complicated than Girlfriends character Andrew’s experience.
He is the product of an ongoing affair between his mother Sue and her married business partner John – and essentially grew up as his dad’s dirty secret.
As a teenager Andrew suffered the indignity of being treated as a stranger by his father when they bumped into each other while he was out with his wife and two sons.
It scarred him for life and has left him with a heart full of bitterness and a non-existent relationship with his old man.
But father and son are forced to confront their fractured bond in tonight’s episode, after John is rushed to hospital.
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With all his children and the two women in his life gathered around his bedside, the magazine publisher drops a huge bombshell.
And there are aftershocks aplenty!
But could it eventually lead the way to a happy ever after for the two men after so many years?
Philip Cumbus, who plays lawyer Andrew, thinks it’s unlikely.
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“I think its going to be difficult,” he told Entertainment Daily. “I think they’re both very proud. Andrew really reflects both the character of his mother and the character of his father.
“He does have elements of both of them very clearly and I think the two of them may well, as much as they might try to heal and be open and honest, they’re both carrying a lot of history.
“It’s a long time to carry those feelings, so I think it’s going to be a long process if they’re going to stand any chance of having any kind of new relationship or to start afresh.
“They’re strong men, they’re proud, they’re not going to give in easily.”
Tonight’s episode of the Kay Mellor drama will mark a pivotal moment in that father-son dynamic, though.
“It’s a really vivid powerful feeling that exists between these two characters,” Philip adds. “A very important moment for Andrew.”
Tune in to Girlfriends tonight at 9pm on ITV.