Corrie legend Wendi Peters’ new fella had no idea she played one of the most “horrible” characters in soaps.

The actress, 56, fell for carpet fitter Gareth Whale because he’d never heard of battleaxe Cilla Battersby-Brown.

Wendi, who recently split from her husband of 20-years, said: “It was lovely to meet someone who wanted to get to know Wendi. He did look to see who Cilla was after we met, but thankfully I’m nothing like her in real life.”

Wendi moved out of her family home last year after splitting from Kenny Linden. But friends soon convinced her to try online dating.

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Talking about her new romance for the first time, Wendi said: “I’ve had a tricky few years but I have come out the other side now.

“We’ve been together for nearly 10-months now. My friend badgered me to get online, which was very scary.

Wendi played battleaxe Cilla Battersby-Brown on the Cobbles
Wendi as her Corrie character with Bruce Jones, who played on-screen husband Les Battersby (Image: Unknown)
“I was wary but Gareth was so funny and put me at ease. He’s very kind and caring. I feel very safe and he makes me happy.

“He has no interest in showbiz or the theatre, but I love that. He doesn’t know about what I do, just like I know nothing about carpets.

“It is lovely we have very different interests.”

Wendi Peters also starred in Doctors
Wendi first joined The Street in 2003 and was last seen on the famous cobbles back in 2014.

She says she would be open to making a return to Weatherfield if she gets the chance.

She told us: “I’m lucky that they didn’t kill Cilla off. Both her children are still living on the street, so you never know. Cilla was horrible but she was such a brilliant character to play.

Wendi played battleaxe Cilla Battersby-Brown on the Cobbles
Wendi with Vicky Entwistle, who played Janice Battersby
“I still get asked about her all the time. If the right storyline came up I would consider it.”

Wendi has been appearing in daytime soap Doctors, which was axed last year by the BBC after a 23-year run.

She said: “It’s a tragedy Doctors has finished. It’s sad that we are losing dramas because other things are cheaper to produce.”

● You can catch up with Wendi i