As we reported recently, when Coronation Street’s unlikely hero Kirk Sutherland rushes to Beth Tinker’s aid – after a bloke in a pub insults her – Kirk walks away with a black eye, but also a new found respect from gobby knicker stitcher Beth…

And today, Inside Soap reveal that Lisa George – who of course plays Beth – has hinted that there’s a romance in store for her Corrie character in the near future.

Refusing to name names, Lisa teased, “I can’t tell you who the man in question is – but he likes animals!”

Well that’s just about got to be our Kirky – who’s played by the brilliantly funny Andy Whyment, who also stars in The Royle Family as petty criminal Darren – who’s been single ever since his relationship with Julie Carp (Katy Cavanagh) ended a good few years ago now…

However, Lisa continued, “Beth is about to get some love in her life…

“So far we’ve seen her throw herself at every bloke going, and that just shows she’s really insecure and desperate to be loved.

“In the storyline which is coming up she’s vulnerable, and that’s something viewers haven’t seen in her yet.”

No indeed, ‘vulnerable’ would not normally be a word spoken in the same sentence as ‘Beth Tinker’.

But of playing the mouthy Beth, Lisa said, “I love her because I’d never have the guts to say the things she says in real life!

“It feels quite empowering to me, because Beth just speaks her and is very brave in that way.”

Here’s a reminder of the moment Beth and her son Craig moved into No13 with Tracy Luv Barlow…

Ah, good times.