Corrie's Samia Smith working through split pain

Samia Smith is throwing herself into her role on 'Coronation Street' to help her get over her marriage split.

The actress separated from her property developer spouse Matthew Smith - the father of her 15-month-old daughter Freya - in January and has been concentrating on the harrowing new storyline her character Maria Connor has been handed.

She has been shooting shocking scenes which show Weatherfield newcomer Frank Foster (Andrew Lancel) try to rape hairdresser Maria and although the plot is hard-hitting Samia has appreciated the distraction from her personal woes.

A set source told The Sun newspaper: "Samia is a workaholic and is telling everyone this plot couldn't have come at a better time. She's throwing herself into it. She isn't short of tears for this storyline."

Since her marriage split, Samia has started dating her 'Corrie' co-star Will Thorp - who plays her onscreen boyfriend Chris Gray.

The brunette TV star and Matthew, 35, announced their break-up in a statement last month, which read: "Samia Smith and her husband Matthew have today announced that they have decided to separate after five years of marriage.

"This is a mutual decision and there is no one else involved. Samia and Matthew ask that their privacy be respected at this time for the sake of their daughter Freya."