Coronation Street fans are shocked by actress Paula Wilcox – who plays Elaine Jones’s real age

Coronation Street fans were shocked last night when they worked out actress Paula Wilcox’s real age. 

The actress who plays Elaine Jones on the ITV soap is 73-years-old and has become a fan favourite for her portrayal of Tim Metcalfe’s mum. 

Paula has starred on the much-loved soap for three years now and in her current storyline is set to marry serial killer Stephen, unaware of the danger she could be facing. 

Todd Boyce returned to the soap in June 2022 and as Audrey Robert’s illegitimate son and half-sister of Gail. 

Yet fans were shocked by the small age gap between her soon-to-be on-screen mother-in-law Audrey, played by Sue Nicholls, and Elaine with the two born just six years apart – making Sue 79. 

Fan favourite: Paula has starred on the soap for three years now as Tim Metcalfe’s mum (pictured in 1977 when starring on comedy series Miss Jones and Son) 

Only six years apart: Fans realised show veteran Sue Nicholls who plays Audrey Roberts is just a few years older at age 79 – she is soon to become her mother-in-law on the show 

Taking to social media fans expressed their shock at the small age gap especially as Audrey is soon to become her mother-in-law. 

One said: ‘Woah… Audrey is going to be Elaine’s mother in law. I just realised.’

A second wrote: ‘There’s only 6 years between Audrey and Elaine (as actresses).’

‘I’m stunned I didn’t realise how Elaine and Audrey are practically the same age,’ said a third.

Paula originally joined the soap as abuser Geoff’s ex-wife during the traumatic abuse storyline between Geoff and Yasmeen. 

But Elaine is back in trouble after fans fear that she is Stephen’s next victim who has already killed three people on the street since his arrival on the scene. 

The Canadian businessman is attempting to gain control of the underwear factory Underworld. 

He saw off Jenny Connor’s (Sally Ann Matthews) fiancé Leo Thompkins (Joe Frost) in a flashback episode last year, and both his father Teddy Thompkins (Grant Burgin) and a former client Rufus Donahue (Steve Meo) this year.

The ruthless criminal has also been attempting to kill off Underworld boss Carla Connor (Alison King) by continuously drugging her and tried to murder his fiancée Elaine Jones (Paula Wilcox).

Ruthless: Stephen has taken out a life insurance policy against his fiancée Elaine after proposing while high on LSD

Terror plot: The ruthless criminal has been attempting to kill off Underworld boss Carla Connor (Alison King) by continuously drugging her

Stephen recently took out a life insurance policy on Elaine which means that if she dies, her entire estate would be left to him.

He has been taking £380 each month from Underworld’s accounts to pay for the life insurance, paying the money to a mystery business named Seagull Ltd.

However, Carla told him Owen Longford (Ben Hull) wants to inspect the company accounts, prompting Stephen to become very concerned. 

And even actor Todd believes his character Stephen could kill off Elaine next, recently telling the Mirror: ‘That would be the numbers you would connect…’

Coronation Street continues on Monday on ITV1 and ITVX at 8pm.