Abi Franklin arrived on the cobbles five years ago, and it's been a turbulent time for the troubled mother ever since.
Actress Sally Carman made her Coronation Street debut in the role of the former drug addict in 2017 a year after on-screen son Seb Franklin, played by Harry Visinoni made his first appearance.
Initially, Abi relied entirely on Seb's support in paying the bills and looking after her younger children Charlie and Lexi. In 2017, she suffered an overdose and the twins were placed in foster care
READ MORE: Coronation Street fans 'work out' who gets baby Alfie after horror crash
And after a stint in rehab, Abi made the heartbreaking decision to put the twins up for adoption and started to turn her life around, working as a mechanic at Webster's Autocentre, Manchester Evening News reports.
More recently, things were looking up for Abi. She moved in with Sally Metcalfe at No.4 upon being released from prison and later found love with Sally's ex-husband Kevin Webster.
Sadly, more tragedy struck when on Abi's hen night in 2021, Seb was badly hurt in a brutal, unprovoked gang assault and later died from his injuries.
After finally seeing Corey Brent sent down for her son's cruel murder, Abi is now locked in a custody battle after a one-night stand with Imran Habeeb lead to the surprise arrival of baby Alfie. And this week, things have taken a dramatic turn when lawyer Imran and wife Toyah crashed their car, with Abi and husband Kevin being questioned by police.
Luckily for actress Sally, her life is a lot calmer than that of her Corrie alter ego. Joining Corrie has brought more than just on-screen success as it was on the cobbles that Sally met her now-fiancé.
Love blossomed for the 41-year-old and Joe Duttine, who plays Tim Metcalfe in the ITV soap. The loved-up couple are thought to have started their relationship in the summer of 2018.
In June 2021, they posted a selfie together in a hot tub which was captioned "Three years" and they then moved into a new home together at the end of 2019. The pair share a beautiful home together in a small village outside Stockport, which they also share with their adorable dog, Fig.
Snaps posted on Sally's Instagram have given fans a glimpse into their fabulous house. In November, Sally shared a photo of a large living space with a number of house plants, and a huge Christmas tree.
Other photos have revealed a stunning bathroom with a standalone metallic bath, and a second living area with beautiful oil paintings hanging on the walls.
Joe and Sally announced the happy news that they were engaged in March 2020. Taking to Instagram at the time, Sally shared a picture of her emerald green and gold ring while the pair celebrated with champagne. Speaking about the proposal, Sally previously told TV star Kate Thornton on her podcast White Wine Question Time: "It was while we were in lockdown and we were staying in the Dales with his sister, who has a lot of space, with, his kids.
"And he had just read a Benjamin Meyers book called The Gallows Pole, which Shane Meadows is making into a film right now. It's all about these coin forgers and he was banging on about this bloody book for weeks and weeks and weeks and I'm like: 'I'm glad you're enjoying that book, I won't need to read it because you've literally told me everything that happens in it!'
"And we were walking around this big field on this walk and he went: 'Kids, have a look in between the dry stone walling because you know, they used to put coins and precious things to hide them in the walls. 'You look at that bit Jeanie, and Joseph you look at that thing, Sal why don't you get involved?' I'd had a few beers because you know, that's what we did in lockdown.
"So I'm having a look and there's this box. And I opened it. I'm like: 'No way.' And then there was another box inside. And I turned around and he was on one knee." Sally even made him repeat his proposal, with her explaining: "And he said: 'Will you marry me?' But I made him do it again, because he went too quickly."
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV and the ITV Hub
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