Debra StephensonCoronation Street stars Bradley Walsh and Debra Stephenson have admitted to an off-screen relationship - despite both being married to other people.

The pair, who play ex-husband and wife Frankie and Danny Baldwin in the show, have reportedly told their partners that they had “got too close” and feel “a deep love” for one another but have not had sex.

Debra’s husband James received a tip-off about the relationship from another member of the soap’s cast and found an incriminating text message from Bradley on Debra’s phone. A source revealed: “Someone at the studio had a word with James and told him there was more to it.”

“He was very troubled and suspicious, so had a look at her mobile phone, where he found the text message which she had sent to Bradley, saying how much she missed him. He confronted Bradley first, and told him: ‘I thought we were friends. I’ve known you for years. How could you do this to me?’”

“Bradley apparently apologised and said he hadn’t meant it to happen. He said they’d got carried away with their feelings, but swore it wasn’t sexual.”

“James just can’t believe what Bradley has done to him. He saw him as a family friend. Now he loathes him because he’s ruined his life.”

The matter is further complicated because Debra is four months pregnant: “although there’s no doubt he’s the dad, James can’t get his head around that. He feels sick. He doesn’t know what to do, and is just helpless. He can’t stop thinking about how he’s been betrayed by the pair of them.”

Bradley and Debra reportedly realised their attraction at the party after filming the Christmas pantomine Cinderella to celebrating the soap’s 50th anniversary last year. The couple, who played Cinderella and Prince Charming in the play, apparently spent the party gazing into own another’s eyes and secretly kissed.

An inside source has now revealed: “The sparks between them were there for everyone to see. After that first kiss Debra and Bradley went back to their families determined to try to put the budding romance behind them.”

“But a couple of months later they ended up kissing again. They knew it was wrong but their feelings for each other were growing stronger by the week. Things cooled between them for a while but then Debra and Bradley started texting each other again.”

The two are both planning on leaving the soap before the end of the year: “one of the reasons they both wanted to leave the Street was to get away from each other, put a bit of distance between them and be with their families. They thought they were getting too close.”

“They both insist things never went too far but it has caused pain and hurt. They didn’t want this to come out but after all the turmoil this week it has gone round like wildfire. The Street bosses have now been told about the text messages.

“James has reacted very badly to it. Debra simply has no idea where he is at the moment. That is a terrible situation for a pregnant woman to be in. The sad thing is they both love their families very much.”

Bradley has reportedly flown to Poland to be with his wife of eight years Donna who is currently working out there.