Despite being happily married to the most popular woman in Weatherfield, Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine) is in search of something new in upcoming Coronation Street episodes.

Don’t worry, he has no intention of betraying Sally (Sally Dynevor). In fact, he wants them to conquer a challenge together.

A few months ago, the couple were on hand to try and support Mason Radcliffe (Luca Toolan) shortly before he died.

The teenager was sleeping in Tim and Sally’s shed and was eventually allowed to kip on their sofa. They proved to be a great influence on Mason, who was trying to turn his life around at the time.

Sadly, his hopes of staying on that path of redemption got ripped away when he was stabbed to death.

It’s perhaps spending time with Mason that has influenced Tim’s idea as in upcoming episodes, he talks to Sally about fostering.

They decide they don’t want to look after a young child like Hope (Isabella Flanagan), but have no idea she’s overhearing their conversation.

Later on, in the garden, as Tim and Sal continue talking about becoming foster parents, Hope and Ruby (Billie Naylor) send a water balloon over the fence, hitting them both!

In the week, despite Sally making her reservations about the fostering idea, Tim heads online and secretly books himself in for an information session.

Going down this path without Sally knowing definitely isn’t the best idea – but will she eventually agree with Tim’s plan?

Coronation Street fans are once again up in arms over the decision to kill off show legend Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney).

Last year, Metro exclusively revealed that the iconic character is set to be at the centre of a heartbreaking storyline that will see her diagnosed with dementia, and ultimately lead to her exit.

News of the storyline left fans frustrated, so much so that they launched a petition, begging bosses to change their minds and keep Debbie. At the time of writing, the petition has amassed 2, 266 signatures.

In recent scenes, Debbie has been showing signs of the illness, after forgetting certain things she has seen or been told.

Metro readers have been expressing their devastation around the storyline with Eileen saying: ‘She needs to stay, she brightens things up.’

‘Debbie is one of the best characters on the street disgusting what they are doing’, Ailsa wrote, while Rita agreed, adding: ‘She is brilliant what a horrible story line for her why don’t you leave her in the show she is great.’

‘Big mistake one of the best,’ Dawn said, while Paul penned: ‘I can’t believe they are killing her off.’

The first signs of the storyline were apparent on-screen last month when Debbie was left frustrated when the power went out at the Chariot Square Hotel and was forced to call in electrician Mick Michaelis (Joe Layton) for help.

Mick later revealed that it had been a planned power outage, which Debbie had received an email about. Throughout the episode, Debbie put employee Rafael through his paces in comedic scenes, with the ITV soap sharing an Instagram post in support of his plight.

But instead of empathising with overworked Rafael, the comment section was awash with devastated fans hoping for a different outcome to the story.

‘Debbie / Sue is comedy gold, you’re making a huge mistake writing her out,’ one fan wrote after the hilarious scenes.

‘Debbie always makes me smile. Such a shame she’s leaving. Brilliant character,’ another agreed.

‘Please don’t get rid of her. She’s one of the best characters you have,’ a third begged, with 101 other fans liking the comment.

‘I love every scene with Debbie in it, the brilliant Sue Devaney captures her so well but…I also can’t bear to watch knowing her outcome,’ another lamented.

On March 31, Coronation Street officially confirmed Debbie’s story, revealing that they are working with Dementia UK, and will follow Debbie’s journey as she comes to terms with the diagnosis and what it will mean for her and the family.

The confirmation prompted fans once again to voice their opinions on the decision to give this storyline to Debbie.

Metro reader Yasmin wrote on X that they were ‘truly gutted’.

‘huge mistake to get of Debbie, iconic character fab actress, oh sue. love her, love our Debbie.’ User Kim was in agreement, writing: ‘It’s a bad mistake … huge ?!’

Pauline added: ‘Love Debbie and her one liners, she will be missed. Sorry Corrie wrong Lady to leave.’ Matthew said: ‘While we all get on our knees pleading with them to reverse this ridiculous decision!’

Jamie branded the decision ‘short sighted’ and the ‘worst ever’ adding that Debbie ‘represents the DNA’ of Coronation Street.

Statistics and facts about young-onset dementia

According to Dementia UK:

• An estimated 7.5%, 70,800 of the estimated 944,000 people living with dementia in the UK have young onset dementia.
• Someone develops dementia every three minutes in the UK.
• One in two of us will be affected by dementia in our lifetime, whether that be through caring for a loved one with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both.
• 53% of people in the UK know someone who has dementia.

Young-onset dementia support groups and help can be found on the Dementia UK website.

‘It’s one of many major storylines new producer Kate Brooks has in the bag, and there will not be a dry eye in the house,’ a source previously told us of Debbie’s exit.

‘There is no doubt in the Corrie family that she will give the performance of a lifetime and make Debbie’s exit one to remember for years.’

Sue Devaney, who plays Debbie, has since addressed the fan reaction to news of her alter-ego’s dementia diagnosis: ‘It’s really lovely that Debbie is loved’, she said.

‘And I didn’t realise what people thought of Debbie, they love Debbie and that’s brilliant. But Debbie’s not going anywhere yet. 

‘Debbie has been diagnosed and this is her journey. The whole of the story is to see her journey, isn’t it? To see this journey and tell it.’

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Coronation Street fans have been left confused after spotting a major ‘plot hole’ in the ITV soap.

Last week, a terrifying incident drove an even bigger wedge into Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan) and Jenny Connor’s (Sally Ann Matthews) already fragile relationship.

When left looking after Bertie Osbourne, Jenny was distracted by a phone call and was horrified to find that the young boy had wandered off while her back was turned.

He was soon found by Cassie Plummer (Claire Sweeney) and Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) in the Metcalfe’s hot tub, having fallen in after trying to retrieve his lost ball.

The situation was devastatingly reminiscent of an incident from Jenny and Daisy’s past when Jenny’s son Tom drowned in a paddling pool.

After Bertie had been given the all-clear at the hospital, Daisy confronted Jenny, and conversation soon turned to Tom’s loss.

In her fury at being accused of being unfit to be a parent, Jenny placed the blame for Tom’s death on Daisy, claiming that she’d asked her to keep an eye on him while she went inside for two minutes to retrieve her purse.

This left fans confused, as previous mentions of this backstory had always implied that Jenny was alone with Tom when he drowned.

Taking to Reddit, one viewer said: ‘The way Tom’s death was described up until now made it out like Jenny was the only one there.

‘Now I know Daisy didn’t exist in 2015, but this changes quite a lot?’

Another fan recalled a storyline from after Jenny’s return to Coronation Street in 2015 when she kidnapped Jack Webster (now played by Kyran Bowes) while struggling with her grief over Tom’s death.

‘When it was mentioned then, the police said (to Kevin & Sophie) that he died because Jenny left him completely unattended,’ the fan pointed out.

‘It was all related to her and now suddenly she’s blaming it all on Daisy? It makes no sense.’

Another viewer pointed out that it didn’t make sense from Daisy’s perspective either, insisting that she would have felt some level of guilt over the situation if she had been present.

‘Even on Daisy’s side it doesn’t make sense if she had been in the garden then wouldn’t she have blamed her self or conclude Jenny blamed her especially given they didn’t speak for years after.’

A Coronation Street spokesperson has confirmed that newcomer Farrel Hegarty will leave alongside co-star Joe Layton later this year.

The duo arrived in the ITV soap in February as Lou and Mick Michaelis and were tipped to be the Battersby family of the 21st century.

However, just weeks after their high-profile arrival on Mawdsley Street, both actors are set to leave.

Branded the ‘neighbours from hell’ by show boss Kate Brooks, the couple have ruffled feathers throughout Weatherfield, sparking complaints from the likes of Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) and George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley).

During his first scenes, it was revealed that Mick was the van driver who had been tormenting Chesney Winter-Brown (Sam Aston), whilst Lou struck up a friendship with his wife Gemma (Dolly-Rose Campbell).

Mick then clashed with Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan) in the wake of her miscarriage and has embarked on a feud with Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) and her partner Ronnie Bailey (Vinta Morgan).

He is, of course, unaware that she is suffering symptoms of young-onset dementia.

Following reports in The Sun, Coronation Street’s publicity team told Metro: ‘This is not a shock exit or an early exit. Mick and Lou were brought into the show to cause chaos on the cobbles in the build-up to a major storyline in the summer and they are already making their presence felt.

‘Joe and Farrell were contracted for a specific length of time, some characters come in for a long time and some like Mick and Lou are brought to pass through and leave a trail of destruction behind them.

‘Both actors are still filming with the show and will be on screen until the summer.’

It was first reported last month that Joe will bow out, this is despite the introduction of young offender Brody (Ryan Mulvey), who fans are convinced is the Michaelis’ son.

Paparazzi pictures also seemed to show young actors portraying the characters in flashback scenes with Kit Green (Jacob Roberts), with a connection between them confirmed by Kate Brooks.

‘They are coming to stir up a lot of trouble, and open up the floodgates and unpack the past of one of our big characters, which is Kit’ she said in December.

This wasn’t her first role on the cobbles, as she played a reporter back in 2019.

Joe is no stranger to soaps, as alongside a string of other roles – including one in a Marvel film – he was also a guest star on Casualty last year.

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Carla Connor (Alison King) breaks some devastating news to Jenny Connor (Sally Ann Matthews) in Coronation Street next week.

Viewers of the ITV soap have seen the landlady struggle for the past year, after finding herself in significant debt with Carla.

Following the death of serial killer Stephen Reid (Todd Boyce), Jenny and step-daughter Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan) uncovered £250,000 cash that he had stolen from Underworld.

Rather than confessing to Carla, they kept it for themselves and bought back the pub from chain company LS Waterford.

As with most soap stories, the secret didn’t stay quiet for long and she soon found out.

To make matters worse, she recently had to fork out for private health care in order to undergo another kidney transplant, and borrowed the money from her girlfriend Lisa Swain’s (Vicky Myers) daughter Betsy (Sydney Martin).

Though Jenny has tried every possible way to raise the cash, in upcoming scenes it appears that she will finally have to cut her losses and sell the pub.

This comes after departing star Colson Smith made a huge blunder and uploaded a picture of the ‘For Sale’ sign to Instagram.

Next week, Carla arrives at the Rovers and informs Jenny that the time has come for her to pay Lisa back, in the wake of the drama with her brother Rob Donovan (Marc Baylis).

Having escaped from prison, he held Carla and Tracy McDonald (Kate Ford) hostage in the latter’s family home, with the resulting altercation leading to Betsy being shot.

Feeling that she’s brought enough turmoil onto the Swain clan, Carla realises that she’ll have to sell the boozer for the money.

Jenny is gobsmacked but is soon perked up when she receives a delivery.

The package contains a bottle of Champagne from her new fella Dom – but she’s still unaware that he’s completely fabricated, with his dating profile set up by Daisy and mum Christina (Amy Robbins) to catfish her.

As Jenny relishes in the gift, Christina watches on from afar and grins.

How will she cope with more turmoil and upheaval?

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It’s one of Coronation Street’s most controversial decisions in a long time and now the show’s boss Kate Brooks has broken her silence on why Debbie Webster, played by the fabulous Sue Devaney, is being killed off in a young onset dementia storyline.

Metro exclusively revealed the plotline last year, triggering an uproar among fans and a petition that has accumulated thousands of signatures.

Since then, we have started to see signs of Debbie’s symptoms, including confusion and forgetfulness.

Now, Corrie has officially confirmed the storyline, making it clear that we still have the character for a long time to come, with the arc – as previously confirmed by Metro – seeing us into 2026.

Working with Dementia UK, over the coming months and years the soap will follow Debbie’s journey as she comes to terms with the diagnosis and what it will mean for her and the family.

It’s a choice that has incurred quite the backlash, but Kate – previously the chief of Emmerdale – has explained why Debbie will be central to the story.

‘With one in two people being affected by dementia, we felt this was such an important story to tell for the simple reason that it resonates with so many people.

‘Having a character as vibrant as Debbie Webster, and an actor of Sue Devaney’s incredible talent and calibre, at the heart of this storyline, was key to unlocking the many emotions that come with navigating this diagnosis.’

Why give it to Debbie, you still may ask? Sue herself also weighed in.

‘It is an honour and privilege to be given this sort of storyline. A lot of people are saying, why give it to Debbie? She’s so vibrant and she’s so full of life.

‘But I think that is where a good story lies because it’s somebody that has everything and also words are important to Debbie. She has a quick wit and everything is so important, money and success.

‘She’s been dealt this hand of this illness and it is going to be interesting to follow her journey.’

Kate added: ‘We’re working closely with Dementia UK to ensure this story is told as truthfully and sensitively as possible – whilst never losing sight of the person behind the diagnosis. 

‘This is a story about family, about community, but ultimately this is a story about love, and how love can provide light, even through the darkest of times.’

Certainly, this provides some much needed context and insight, but whether it is enough to appease fans is another matter.

The petition continues to rack up numbers, and carries the plea to producers to end the story while they ‘still can’.

It reads: ‘The departure of a character like Debbie Webster, especially under these circumstances, is not just a creative choice—it’s a statement about the direction of the show.

‘We want Coronation Street to be the cornerstone of TV schedules, a place where we can come home to each episode for many years to come. We are urging those behind-the-scenes to have a rethink, for the good of the soap opera that we all love, and all wish to see thrive once again.’

Statistics and facts about young-onset dementia

According to Dementia UK:

• An estimated 7.5%, 70,800 of the estimated 944,000 people living with dementia in the UK have young onset dementia.
• Someone develops dementia every three minutes in the UK.
• One in two of us will be affected by dementia in our lifetime, whether that be through caring for a loved one with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both.
• 53% of people in the UK know someone who has dementia.

Young-onset dementia support groups and help can be found on the Dementia UK website.

‘It’s really lovely that Debbie is loved,’ Sue continued. ‘And I didn’t realise what people thought of Debbie, they love Debbie and that’s brilliant. But Debbie’s not going anywhere yet.

‘Debbie has been diagnosed and this is her journey. The whole of the story is to see her journey, isn’t it? To see this journey and tell it. We’re all frightened of getting older, aren’t we?

‘We’re all frightened of the inevitable that’s going to happen which is going to be death and nobody knows how we’re going to die. Viewers read things like, oh yeah, they’re killing Debbie off. Well, actually, it’s amazing that they’re giving Debbie this brilliant story.’

Coronation Street star Sue Devaney has broken her silence on the news her character Debbie Webster will be written out of the soap after being diagnosed with young onset dementia. 

Last November, Metro was first to break news of the plot, with a source telling us it would be a ‘devastating’ watch for fans. 

The announcement was met with a huge backlash from fans of the ITV soap, with some even setting up an official petition to save the beloved character.

The months since have seen an increasing number of clues pointing to Debbie’s fate as she’s experienced moments of forgetfulness – and next week, she goes for tests that will eventually see her officially diagnosed with young onset dementia. 

Speaking for the first time about the storyline, Sue said she felt ‘a mixture of things’ when Corrie’s producer Kate Brooks called her into the office to tell her. 

‘She said we’ve got this brilliant story, and we want to give Debbie dementia. And obviously, down the line, you don’t survive dementia. So I knew that the story would eventually come to an end and my character would come to an end,’ Sue explains. 

‘There was a mixture of a lot of things. This was my first job when I was 16 and I left after a year and now it will be coming to an end again. But I also realised this was a really important story to tell and is a really fantastic opportunity to act.’

Sue also refutes some reports that she was ‘furious’ about the story, calling them ‘completely untrue’. 

‘The only reason I was concerned about the storyline was because I wanted to be sure I could do it justice,’ she insists. ‘It is an honour and privilege to be given this sort of storyline.’

Sue first appeared as then 15-year-old Debbie 40 years ago and stayed for a year before making an unexpected comeback in 2019.

The actress says she has been surprised by the public’s reaction to news of Debbie’s latest storyline, explaining: ‘It’s really lovely that Debbie is loved. And I didn’t realise what people thought of Debbie, they love Debbie and that’s brilliant. But Debbie’s not going anywhere yet.

‘Debbie has been diagnosed and this is her journey. The whole of the story is to see her journey, isn’t it? To see this journey and tell it. 

‘Viewers read things like, oh yeah, they’re killing Debbie off. Well, actually, it’s amazing that they’re giving Debbie this brilliant story.’

Statistics and facts about young-onset dementia

According to Dementia UK:

• An estimated 7.5%, 70,800 of the estimated 944,000 people living with dementia in the UK have young onset dementia.
• Someone develops dementia every three minutes in the UK.
• One in two of us will be affected by dementia in our lifetime, whether that be through caring for a loved one with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both.
• 53% of people in the UK know someone who has dementia.

Young-onset dementia support groups and help can be found on the Dementia UK website.

Next week, fans will see her go to the doctors about her symptoms, believing they are due to the menopause.

After discussing a series of recent incidents, shown as flashback scenes, including a black out and fall, the doctor advises her that he wants her to have further tests as he is concerned she is showing symptoms of early onset vascular dementia.

Debbie then makes the heartbreaking decision to keep her anguish from her family, with Sue explaining: ‘I think Debbie is in denial and wants to pretend everything is alright until it’s not. 

‘She’s a protector of her family, even though she doesn’t have children. She doesn’t want to worry them. It’s like her world is being exploded. 

‘Also, people will treat you differently. She wants people to see her as the Debbie they know, the one who is in control and running a business. She doesn’t want them to see her as someone else,’ says Sue.

Coronation Street is working closely with Dementia UK on the plot, which will continue to follow Debbie’s journey as she comes to terms with the diagnosis and what it will mean for her and the family.

Speaking about the importance of depicting young onset dementia – a term describing any form of dementia that develops before the age of 65 – on screen, Sue continues: ‘A lot of people are saying, why give it to Debbie? She’s so vibrant and she’s so full of life. But I think that is where a good story lies because it’s somebody that has everything and also words are important to Debbie.

‘She has a quick wit and everything is so important, money and success. She’s been dealt this hand of this illness and it is going to be interesting to follow her journey.’

Coronation Street producer Kate Brooks also says: ‘With one in two people being affected by dementia, we felt this was such an important story to tell for the simple reason that it resonates with so many people. Having a character as vibrant as Debbie Webster, and an actor of Sue Devaney’s incredible talent and calibre, at the heart of this storyline, was key to unlocking the many emotions that come with navigating this diagnosis. 

‘We’re working closely with Dementia UK to ensure this story is told as truthfully and sensitively as possible – whilst never losing sight of the person behind the diagnosis.’

She adds: ‘This is a story about family, about community, but ultimately this is a story about love, and how love can provide light, even through the darkest of times.’

Coronation Street airs these scenes from Monday 7 April at 8pm on ITV1 or stream first from 7am on ITVX. 

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Coronation Street star Colson Smith has filmed his final scenes on the ITV soap, and his exit has left a show legend in tears.

The Craig Tinker star announced his departure in January on social media, revealing that he’d learnt the character was being written out last autumn.

He continued on Instagram: ‘I’ve loved every single second of my 14-year stay as a resident on the greatest street in the world. I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up in, on and around Coronation Street.

‘I’ve learnt pretty much everything about life from the people who call it home. I’m excited to play out the exit story for our Craigy. For me, this is just the end of the beginning.

‘I genuinely can’t wait to see what chapter 2 has in store for me. Long live the cobbles!’

In a recent episode of the On The Sofa podcast, which Colson co-hosts with Corrie co-stars Ben Price and Jack P Shepherd, he revealed that show legend Sally Dynevor, who plays Sally Metcalfe, was in tears during his final weeks of filming.

‘Sally Dynevor started crying in make-up the other day and I said, “Woah, woah, woah, there is still a week for me to mess it all up yet. Don’t tell me I’m all Mr Lovely because you wait!”‘

After wrapping filming on his final scenes, Colson took to Instagram to pay tribute to the show, posting a picture of himself sitting on top of the Rovers Return sign.

It has been revealed that Colson’s final scenes are set to be dramatic, with Craig dying in a blaze of glory.

‘Craig has grown up on the street and he’s become part of it so it was a tough decision to make but one that will be worth it,’ a source told The Sun.

‘PC Tinker will meet his maker in heroic circumstances this summer and there won’t be a dry eye in the house when it goes out.

‘Colson is taking it well and there’s a real feeling that this chapter is closing for him and there are bigger and brighter things ahead.

Coronation Street’s Sue Cleaver has reportedly filmed her final scenes.

The actress, who portrays Eileen Grimshaw in the ITV soap, confirmed she’d be saying goodbye to the role and ’embrace change’ as she ‘reached [her] 60th year’.

Speaking about her time on the cobbles, Sue said: ‘I’ve had 25 privileged years of working on Coronation Street.’

‘The door is still firmly open, but as I reached my 60th year, I decided it was time to embrace change, look for new adventures, and live fearlessly.’

It is understood that she made the decision in the summer, after her appearance in the Sister Act musical tour. She returned to the stage for the first time in about three decades.

Now, according to The Sun, Sue Cleaver has filmed her last scenes as Eileen, meaning it won’t be long until she departs the cobbles.

As part of Eileen’s final storyline, her sister Julie Carp (Katy Cavanagh) has returned.

The beloved character revealed to Eileen and Todd (Gareth Pierce) that she is living with stage four cancer. The duo have now decided to help Julie live her life to the absolute full.

Before Eileen waves goodbye to Weatherfield, she will also be treated to a return in the form of her other son Jason (Ryan Thomas).

Discussing Sue’s departure, and the history of Eileen, producer of the show Kate Brooks said: ‘We’re sad to bid farewell to the wonderful Sue Cleaver.

‘Over the past 25 years, Eileen Grimshaw has been at the heart of some of the most memorable and iconic Corrie storylines, and her onscreen rivalry with Gail Platt will undoubtedly go down in Corrie folklore.

‘There’s certainly no one quite like Eileen, and her character will be hugely missed on the cobbles. We wish Sue all the very best as she embarks on her next exciting chapter.’

Coronation Street icon Thelma Barlow has come out of retirement to make a new short film at the age of 95.

Thelma first appeared on the ITV soap as dithering Mavis Riley at the engagement party of Emily (Eileen Derbyshire) and Ernie Bishop (Stephen Hancock) in 1971.

The character reappeared the following year at their wedding, and by 1973 was a regular face on the cobbles having been employed as Rita Littlewood’s (Barbara Knox) assistant at The Kabin.

The two worked side by side for the next 24 years, but following the death of Mavis’ husband Derek (Peter Baldwin), she decided to move to Cartmel, Cumbria to open a bed and breakfast.

Mavis is still regularly mentioned whenever Rita needs a break from the drama.

Since then, Thelma has had roles in Victoria Wood’s Dinnerladies (which also starred Corrie alumni Anne Reid and Sue Devaney, alongside Sue Cleaver and Shobna Gulti, who would later join the show) plus in an episode of Doctor Who.

More recently she’s made personal appearances in documentaries celebrating her former colleagues Malcolm Hebden and Barbara Knox.

Now, after years out of the spotlight, she’s starring in Sleepless in Settle – a 20-minute comedy filmed in Rye and Rye Harbour on the East Sussex coast.

The film has been written and directed by actress Judy Flynn, who appeared as a secretary in Dinnerladies, which is where the two women met back in the late 90s.

‘The film is just the sort of thing people need right now – a gentle comedy,’ Thelma said of the film, which is now available to watch for free on YouTube.

‘It has a very sweet message that people of different generations can successfully live together.

‘It was such fun to make,’ she added to the BBC.

Thelma previously appeared on Good Morning Britain to discuss the film when it was announced last year.

Hosts Susanna Reid and Ed Balls were also keen to know whether she’d ever reprise her role in Weatherfield.

‘Well no, I would be far too terrified’ she told them.

‘I would be scared to do something commercial and in a big studio and the pressure of it.’

She continued: ‘I know the pressure of doing things perfectly. Said movie was less stressful because among friends.’

The GMB team also addressed Helen Worth’s departure after 50 years on the Street as Gail Rodwell, and wondered whether that would be enough to tempt her back, something which Thelma was very quick to shut down!

‘Oh don’t keep on!’ she said.

‘Leave me alone…Not many people I knew are in it now.’

It sounds as though she’s keen to keep the past in the past, but then again, if you were to ask Mavis herself – she ‘wouldn’t really know’!

This article was originally published on 1 July 2024.

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This article contains spoilers for tonight’s Coronation Street, which has not yet aired on TV but is available to watch now on ITVX.

Tonight’s dramatic instalment of Coronation Street saw Dee-Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown) rushed to hospital when her waters broke.

The solicitor had been in hospital visiting Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton) ahead of son Frankie’s transplant when she was struck with pain.

However, the nurse who examined her attributed it to the false labour pains she’d already been diagnosed with, and sent her home.

Back at the flat, it came as a terrifying shock to Dee-Dee when her waters broke, with her family rushing around to get her to the hospital.

Unfortunately, she found herself waiting for hours to be seen by a doctor, as other patients were prioritised over her, despite the pain she was clearly in.

After comments from nurses about how her body was built to deal with the pain of childbirth, Dee-Dee was finally taken seriously by a nurse who managed to find a doctor to treat her.

Having conducted some tests, the doctor reported that Dee-Dee was suffering from pre-eclampsia, and would need to have an emergency caesarean section.

Thankfully, the baby was healthy, though the same couldn’t be said for poor Dee-Dee.

Following the birth, Dee-Dee complained that she wasn’t feeling well, but her midwife brushed it off, insisting that it was normal to feel that way after giving birth.

Dee-Dee was sure that something wasn’t right, as she revealed that she could feel something wet around her lower half, though the midwife refused to get a doctor.

Moments later, Dee-Dee passed out and, after checking her over, the midwife called for emergency assistance.

Dee-Dee’s family were left with an anxious wait as she was rushed into emergency surgery, having suffered a haemorrhage.

Their anxiety only increased when no one had any information on Dee-Dee’s condition, leaving them completely in the dark.

As a doctor directed them to ask a midwife for updates, James Bailey (Jason Callender) grew frustrated, pointing out that none of them had any answers either.

Terrified for his sister’s wellbeing, James declared that if she died, it would be the fault of the hospital staff.

Will Dee-Dee pull through?

Todd Grimshaw’s (Gareth Pierce) eyes lit up when he spotted Theo (James Cartwright) working on the cobbles of Coronation Street.

The scaffolder was involved in an awkward interaction with Todd’s auntie Julie (Katy Cavanagh). When Theo learnt of Julie’s cancer, he felt bad and bought flowers as an apology gift.

Todd tried to throw hints at Theo about being interested in him, but he didn’t get the message. Instead, he insisted that he isn’t gay and asked Todd to leave him alone.

However, the situation changed for Todd while on a dating app. He got talking to a guy and when he sent a photo over, Todd discovered it was Theo.

In upcoming episodes, Theo’s secretive behaviour continues as he arrives at Number 11 to meet with Todd, but knocks on the back door.

As Todd opens some beers, Theo eventually starts to relax and tells Todd that he finds him attractive.

The two characters then kiss and head upstairs.

Afterwards, Todd is puzzled when Theo admits that his life is complicated and wants to keep their relationship on the downlow. When they hear Julie, George (Tony Maudsley) and Eileen (Sue Cleaver) returning, Theo rushes out but forgets his coat.

When Theo arrives back to collect it, he tells Todd that their time together won’t be continuing.

Ouch.

Theo’s clearly hiding quite a few secrets, what will Todd make of him once he’s discovered the truth?

Discussing his character, James Cartwright said: ‘I think Theo is a good guy, he comes in with the best of intentions, as most people do, but he may upset some people with his behaviour.’

‘I had a line the other day where I said: “I think I left my trousers in the bedroom” so make of that what you will.’

‘I was very excited, a lot of my memories growing up as a young boy were settling down with my gran after tea, she’d make me a crumpet and we’d sit there and watch Corrie.

‘I feel like it’s a great honour to be a part of something that’s brought joy to people for so long.’

Life is never boring if you’re Hope Stape (Isabella Flanagan) in Coronation Street.

Hope has always been a troubled young girl but as she’s grown up, she’s stepped away from the very dramatic antics such as kidnapping and threatening people with hammers and has been faced with slightly more realistic ordeals like peer pressure and relationship problems.

Last year, Hope developed an interest in vaping, partly because she was seeing other people at high school with them. Time and time again Hope was told about the dangers of smoking the vape, but she didn’t listen.

Hope then fell ill with a chest infection, and local GP Doctor Gaddas confirmed that her vaping would’ve definitely played a part in her being unwell.

Elsewhere in Hope’s always chaotic world, she decided to dump Sam Blakeman (Jude Riordan), convinced Jack Webster (Kyran Bowes) was far more interesting to her.

In upcoming episodes, the two characters spend time at the precinct, and it appears they might be just as bad as each other.

As Kevin (Michael Le Vell) takes part in his next chemo session, he opens up to Abi (Sally Carman) and wonders if banning Jack from the end of term party was a bit much.

Meanwhile, at the precinct, Hope and Jack spy two E-bikes that have been left by Toyah (Georgia Taylor) and Nick (Ben Price).

They pay for the scooters and swig on a bottle of booze, but it happens as police officers Craig (Colson Smith) and Jess arrive.

Following on behind them is Kevin and Tyrone (Michael Le Vell), who demand answers.

Jack admits that he paid for the bikes with Kevin’s credit card but with the police now involved, what will happen to him and Hope?

Coronation Street star Amy Robbins has spilt the beans on her ‘wicked and cruel’ comeback storyline as Daisy Midgeley’s (Charlotte Jordan) ‘ruthless’ mum Christina. 

The character makes a surprise return to the cobbles this week after guest appearances in 2023 and 2024, and it will spell bad news for Jenny Connor (Sally Ann Matthews). 

Unbeknown to the Rovers landlady, Daisy has enlisted Christina in a revenge plot against her, after relations between Jenny and Daisy hit an all-time low in recent weeks. 

As Jenny begins chatting to a man called ‘Dom’ on a dating app, it will transpire that Daisy and Cristina are behind the account, using it to try and extort Jenny out of her recent cash windfall. 

Speaking about Daisy teaming up with her estranged mother, Amy says: ‘For the first time you see Daisy actually, when push comes to shove, relying on her flesh and blood to help her out a bit. 

‘Christina runs to her rescue to finally get revenge on Jenny which she’s always wanted to do. They’re finally working together to undo Jenny and that suits Christina down to the ground – that is right up her street.’

Amy explains that Cristina is acting out of ‘pure jealousy’ as Jenny stole her husband Gregory, who was Daisy’s father. 

‘I don’t think Christina’s ever got over that. That’s what this whole thing comes down to,’ she says. 

‘Daisy is so angry with her and [Christina] has a long-term resentment of her. I think they’re feeling vengeful. They’re happy to see her lose the pub. They’re happy to see her lose everything in that moment, it’s pretty horrid.

‘They’re just wrapping her round their little finger making her fall in love with this man and Christina is sending the messages to her from him. It’s wicked and cruel.’

However, Amy has teased some lighter moments in Daisy and Christina’s revenge plot.

She adds: ‘Some of the things Christina does and says are full panto Wicked Witch of the West, they really are, but she’s kind of funny.

‘She and Daisy share characteristics – this wicked acid tongue and they’re quick-witted, so it’s funny along the way. It is fun. 

‘You can’t help but laugh about Christina and Jenny have a scrap in the pub and wrestling pints off each other and calling each other “worm”. It’s like school common room scrapping.’ 

Coronation Street airs Christina’s return on Monday at 8pm on ITV1 or stream first from 7am on ITVX.

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Izzy Armstrong (Cherylee Houston) has been a mainstay on Coronation Street for 15 years now – but what you may not have realised is that she has a famous real-life husband. 

Cherylee’s character arrived on the cobbles back in 2010, and during that time fans have seen her romances with Kirk Sutherland (Andy Whyment) and Gary Windass (Mikey North). 

But away from the soap, Cherylee is married to comedian Toby Hadoke, who has even appeared in Corrie himself. 

Back in 2021, Toby landed a guest role as a character called Fergus, who was introduced as Izzy’s protective neighbour. 

He discussed his appearance on Corrie during a joint interview with Cherylee on This Morning at the time. 

Speaking about his wife, Toby said: ‘She’s such a good actor. I think it’s forgotten because she’s so brilliant at bringing attention to the importance of disability representation. She’s really good.’

However, it wasn’t his first time popping up on the ITV soap, as he previously revealed: ‘If you delve into the archives, I once married Curly Watts. I was a vicar. 

‘They wanted a young vicar at Curly Watts’ wedding. If you go back it was about 747 years ago. That was just a one-off.’

What TV shows has Toby Hadoke been in?

Toby also played a registrar in rival soap Emmerdale in 2014 and more recently appeared in three episodes of Hollyoaks as Mr Reid in 2023. 

Other TV roles include guest appearances in shows including Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights, Hebburn and Shameless. 

Last month, you might have also seen Toby pop up in Waterloo Road, where he played Mr Taylor – the head of maths at the rival local grammar school – in the first episode of the current series. 

Away from the screen, Toby is a known face on the stand-up comedy circuit. 

He has run the Manchester-based comedy club XS Malarkey for 27 years and is a regular performer at the city’s Comedy Store. 

This article was originally published on March 11, 2025.

A new Coronation Street spoiler video has revealed Gemma Winter-Brown’s (Dolly-Rose Campbell) patience with her new neighbours Mick and Lou Michaelis (Joe Layton and Farrel Hegarty) starts to run out next week.

The newcomers have shaken things up since their arrival in Weatherfield earlier this year, taking up residence over the other side of the ginnel in Mawdsley Street. 

While they struck up a friendship with Gemma and her husband Chesney Brown (Sam Aston), it is clear they have had their reservations about the newbies. 

That feeling is exacerbated next week when they receive a warning about Mick from Ronnie Bailey (Vinta Morgan), who is furious about Mick’s recent run-in with his partner Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney). 

Not long after, Chesney receives a text from Mick inviting him for a drink and his heart sinks. 

He does his best to mask his anxiety and goes to meet up with him in the Rovers. 

But when he returns home, he and Gemma are settling down for the night after putting the quads to sleep earlier than expected.

While they’d planned to spend the evening in front of the telly, they are interrupted when Mick and Lou rock up unannounced with cans of beer in tow.

As you can see in the video above, Gemma paints on a smile, but it’s clear she is smarting at the couple crashing her evening, and surely it’s only a matter of time before her true feelings come to light…

However, Mick won’t be rubbing his neighbours up the wrong way for much longer, as the character is set to bow out of the show in the coming weeks.

According to The Sun, Joe is set to film his final scenes as antagonist Mick next month.

‘There was a lot excitement when Joe joined the soap as Mick, but his time is going to very short and sweet,’ a source told the publication.

‘He’s already caused a real stir and his exit over the summer is going to be great telly.

‘He only ever signed a fixed date contract, but fans were really hoping he would be kept on.’

Metro understands that the character will depart in the summer, with plenty more drama to come before then.

Coronation Street airs these scenes on Wednesday at 8pm on ITV1 or stream first from 7am on ITVX.

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Coronation Street brings the drama next week, as confirmed in my new spoiler videos, with unexpected revenge plots, uninvited guests and a devastating visit to the hospital all on the cards.

Pregnant Dee-Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown) is told to go home by doctors after experiencing pain but ultimately she is rushed back to hospital after things take an unexpected turn.

To her shock, the baby has to be delivered there and then.

Elsewhere, Jenny Connor (Sally Ann Matthews) remains blissfully unaware of what stepdaughter Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan) is up to as a catfishing plot gets underway.

And Gemma Winter (Dolly-Rose Campbell) isn’t pleased when she and Chesney Brown (Sam Aston) are forced to entertain the neighbours instead of enjoying a planned afternoon together.

It’s going to be quite the week on the Street and if you’d like a little preview of what’s to come then you’re in luck as I’ve got three.

Monday March 31

Dee-Dee has been rushed to hospital after experiencing pain. The doctor comes to believe that she’s suffering from pre-eclampsia, which means that the baby has to come out right now.

Wednesday April 2

Jenny sends online love interest Dom a voice note and instantly regrets it. She seeks advice from Daisy and Christina, unaware that they’re actually catfishing her in a bid to turn her life upside down.

Jenny reckons she’s blown it with Dom but a subsequent delivery of flowers suggests otherwise, leaving her on cloud nine. Little does she know, however, that Daisy and Christina are behind her torment.

Friday April 4

After getting the kids down for a sleep, Chesney and Gemma are excited about the prospect of an afternoon on the sofa together.

However, their happiness is short-lived when neighbours Mick and Lou arrive uninvited, making it quite clear that they’re staying put.

Coronation Street airs these scenes w/c Monday March 31 on ITV1 or stream first on ITVX. 

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Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan) was left completely horrified in recent Coronation Street scenes after Bertie Osbourne was put in serious danger.

Daisy left Bertie in the capable hands of Jenny Connor (Sally Ann Matthews) when she headed to an appointment, assuming that the landlady would have things under control.

However, the day took a horrifying turn when Jenny stepped away to take a phone call, and ended up losing track of where Bertie was.

In a panic, she ran all over the street trying to find him, before eventually Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) and Cassie Plummer (Claire Sweeney) confirmed that he was safe with them.

Things could have been very different, as Steve and Cassie had had to pull the young boy out of the hot tub, after he fell in trying to retrieve his ball.

Of course, Jenny was quick to ring Daisy, who was horrified by the turn of events.

As Bertie complained of a tummy ache, Daisy rushed him to the hospital, her fury at the situation evident.

Though Bertie had been given the all clear, it was apparent that Daisy was still shaken by the incident, and she wasted no time in confronting Jenny.

Daisy was quick to compare Bertie’s situation to what happened to her bother Tom 12 years ago, pointing out that both boys were under Jenny’s care at the time of the incidents.

Viewers will know that Jenny left son Tom playing outside, during which time he drowned in a paddling pool.

Though Jenny warned her not to bring it up, Daisy was furious and continued to reference the incident that had killed her brother, suggesting that Jenny wasn’t fit to be a parent.

Traumatised from the day’s events, Jenny was quick to snap, pointing out that while what happened to Bertie was her fault, she had actually been innocent in Tom’s death.

She revealed that she hadn’t left him on his own, but had asked Daisy to keep an eye on him. However, Daisy had no recollection of this, reasoning that she must not have heard the request as she was talking to a boy from next door.

Jenny jumped on that, insisting that whenever Daisy got involved with men people ended up hurt.

Turning Daisy’s own words back on her, Jenny told her that she wasn’t fit to be a mother, and that it was a good job she had lost her baby.

Daisy was absolutely horrified, and stormed out of the Rovers, devastated.

Is there any way back from this for Jenny and Daisy?

With Daisy having made a mysterious phone call later that night asking the person on the other end for help, could she be plotting revenge against her step-mother?

Coronation Street’s Georgia Taylor led the birthday tributes to co-star Julia Goulding as she turned 40 this week. 

Julia, who plays the Street’s Shona Platt, celebrated the milestone on Thursday, with a number of her soap castmates posting messages on social media. 

Georgia, who is best known as Weatherfield’s Toyah Battersby, shared a selection of pics on Instagram of her and Julia, who she said ‘lights up her life’.

She captioned the post: ‘Happy big birthday to this absolute rock star @julia_goulding The best dressing room buddy I could ever wish for. 

‘Jooey, you light up my life every day.’

Julia’s on-screen husband Jack P Shepherd, who plays David Platt, also shared his birthday wishes. 

He posted a photo of Julia on her Stories, writing: ‘Happy birthday Mrs Platt.’ 

Soap newcomer Farrel Hegarty, who plays nightmare neighbour Lou Michaelis, also shared a snap of them on a night out together. 

‘Happy 40th gorgeous human. Love you @julia_goulding,’ she captioned her Story post. 

Julia was recently delighted to welcome Farrel to the cast, as the pair are close friends in real life. 

Farrell was also in attendance at a birthday bash Julia threw for her 40th earlier this month.

‘We’ve known each other getting on 20 years nearly, I think,’ Julia revealed.

‘She went to drama school with my best friend from Manchester, and then when I lived in London, I went to a different drama school. We were just all a big gang in London. 

‘It’s wonderful having her here.’ 

Meanwhile, Julia told her followers of how her mum went all out for her 40th. 

She shared a picture of a birthday cake overloaded with candles, writing: ‘40 candles…my man nearly set the house on fire.’

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This article contains spoilers for tonight’s Coronation Street, which has not yet aired on TV but is available to watch now on ITVX.

After a very long night, things are finally back on track for Carla Connor (Alison King) and Lisa Swain (Vicky Myers).

The two women have faced plenty of obstacles since making their relationship official, but this week has proved tougher than most.

Carla’s criminal brother Rob Donovan (Marc Baylis) made things very difficult for the couple after breaking out of hospital following an operation to give Carla his kidney.

Blaming Lisa for double-crossing him and Carla for leaving him for dead, Rob was desperate for revenge, and this week saw him finally crawl out of the woodwork to achieve it.

Pulling a gun on former flame Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford), he made her summon Carla to the house, where he held them both hostage.

Things took a turn when Tracy managed to escape, only for Lisa to take her place in the hope of protecting Carla.

However, it wasn’t Carla she needed to worry about. When the situation escalate and a gun shot rang out, it was Lisa’s daughter Betsy Swain (Sydney Martin) who was on the receiving end of the bullet.

Lisa was left distraught as the doctor explained that Betsy may never regain feeling in her arm, and was overcome with guilt at the fact she’d been the one to pull the trigger.

Furious, she confronted Rob, but her desire for vengeance soon fizzled away, and his warning that Carla was bad news stuck with her.

Back at Betsy’s ward, Lisa blamed Carla for their current predicament, and decided that she needed to focus on Betsy instead of their relationship, leaving Carla heartbroken.

Thankfully, the following morning saw Betsy talk some sense into her mum, and encourage her to fix things with Carla.

Having promised Betsy not to let Rob win, Lisa headed back to the flat, where Carla offered to move out in order to give her some space.

‘I don’t need space,’ Lisa told her, ‘I need you.’

Is someone cutting onions?

Relieved, a tearful Carla told Lisa she loved her, as Lisa apologised for lashing out, explaining how it had always been just her and Betsy since Becky’s death, and that she felt she’d let her down by letting her get hurt.

Carla insisted that it was now the three of them, and that if they could get through this, they’d make it through anything.

Lisa was grateful for her support, but remained worried about how Betsy would react to the truth of the shooting.

With Carla’s encouragement, Lisa told her daughter what had really happened, and her reaction was surprising.

Betsy explained that she wasn’t upset by the fact that her mum had shot her, but the fact that she was caught up in the hostage situation to begin with.

She pointed out that Lisa hadn’t spared a single thought for Betsy when she put herself in danger, and that even though she couldn’t have known Betsy would get shot, she knew that she could have been left an orphan if Lisa did.

Will this be the wake up call Lisa needs to stop putting her job before her family?

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Dee-Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown) faces a terrifying ordeal in upcoming Coronation Street scenes when she gives birth to her baby.

The solicitor found out she was pregnant last Autumn, but it wasn’t good news.

With the baby’s father being abuser Joel Deering, Dee-Dee knew she didn’t want to keep it, and decided to have a termination. However, when Lauren Bolton’s (Cait Fitton) son Frankie fell ill, Dee-Dee’s baby was likely to be a match for the stem cell transplant he needed.

Because of this, Dee-Dee decided to go through with the pregnancy and give the baby up for adoption once it was born.

However, her plan was thrown into disarray when Lauren revealed that they’d found another donor, and Frankie wouldn’t need to wait for the birth of his half-sibling – something that Dee-Dee has struggled to come to terms with.

‘I think she’s trying to keep a lid on it, but the bottom has fallen out of the plan, as far as she’s concerned,’ actress Channique Sterling-Brown explained.

‘I think it was the right decision for her in the moment and it felt like the logical thing.

In upcoming scenes, Dee-Dee suffers severe pains while visiting Lauren and Frankie, but she is told by a midwife to go home and rest.

Things escalate when her waters break, and she is quick to return to the hospital, where a doctor takes her blood pressure and informs her that she has pre-eclampsia, and the baby will need to be delivered immediately.

‘Basically, everything is all systems go in terms of getting the baby out as quickly and safely as possible, but I think it’s really frightening how quickly that develops, and if someone had intervened a bit sooner and picked up on these symptoms sooner, it wouldn’t need to be such drastic measures that are taken,’ Channique explained.

Following the baby’s birth, things take a shocking turn as Dee-Dee reveals to Ed Bailey (Trevor Michael Georges) that she had to undergo an emergency hysterectomy.

Upon hearing this, Ed urges her to think carefully about whether she still wants to give up the baby for adoption.

‘I don’t think there’s any way anyone could process everything that happens during that 24-hour period for her,’ Channique said.

‘In her mind, she’s still very logical about the fact that she can’t carry any more children, doesn’t mean her feelings change about the paternity of this baby and what this baby potentially represents.

‘I think she knows that and she feels it would be really unfair and unkind to the baby… It’s like it would be a “safety baby”, so to speak. I think that’s how she’s looking at it.’

When she returns home from the hospital, Dee-Dee tells Sarah Platt (Tina O’Brien) and Alya Nazir (Sair Khan) that her condition was avoidable and because it was the result of gross negligence, she intends to make an official complaint.

Ronnie Bailey (Vinta Morgan) is set to go to war in upcoming Coronation Street scenes as he takes on nightmare neighbour Mick Michaelis (Joe Layton).

Tensions are already high between Mick and Ronnie after Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) refused to pay the electrician’s call-out fee.

Mick arrived at the Chariot Square Hotel during a power cut, only to find out that it had been a scheduled power outage that Debbie had been notified of.

Given that all he did was make a phone call, Debbie was reluctant to hand over the full £300 for the call-out, instead offering Mick half.

Next week, Mick continues to wind Debbie up when he plays loud music while Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) is trying to rest.

When Ronnie later calls round, he finds Alfie alone in the living room, and the back door open.

Heading out to investigate, Ronnie is horrified to find Debbie collapsed in the ginnel, dazed and confused.

Later in the week, Ronnie is infuriated to see Gemma Winter (Dolly-Rose Campbell) and Chesney Brown (Sam Aston) growing closer to the newcomer, as Mick continues to wind him up.

At breaking point, Ronnie snaps at Gemma and Chesney, warning them that their new mate isn’t as he seems.

To further satisfy his fury, Ronnie watches Mick head off, before slashing one of his tyres on his van, unaware that Debbie is watching him…

Later, in the Rovers, Mick insists he wants payment for the work he’s done, as well as compensation for the damage to the van, given that Ronnie was caught red-handed on the vehicle’s CTTV.

Will Ronnie and Mick ever bury their feud?

With Mick set to have left Weatherfield by the end of the summer, could Ronnie be set to drive him out of town?

Coronation Street’s William Roache has been given a lifetime achievement award for his work on the ITV soap.

William has played Ken Barlow since the very first episode of the show, and holds the Guinness World Record as the longest running TV soap star.

A few days ago, the actor, who is 92, was handed a prestigious award at the Entertainment Agents Awards.

The lifetime achievement accolade celebrates a person who has made an ‘outstanding contribution to the UK entertainment industry’.

So, of course, it was handed to Bill.

‘It’s a huge honour to receive this award, and I am very grateful for it. I’ve enjoyed a wonderful career, and to have spent so many years working on such a special programme like Coronation Street has been magical’, he told the Champions Speakers Agency.

What has Bill Roache said about Ken Barlow’s future in Coronation Street?

The star added: ‘I’ve been fortunate to work with some absolutely incredible actors over that period and made a lifetime of memories. I’m looking forward to being in the programme for many more years to come.’

The actor was given the award by Claire Sweeney, who plays Cassie Plummer in the show.

Opening up about working alongside the soap legend, Claire said: ‘I feel very honoured to have worked with Bill.

‘Not only is he a legend, he is part of the very fabric of British television.

‘Watching him and working with him – he never drops a line, he’s so smart and aware, and just seems to be ahead of everyone. He’s brilliant, he’s a kind and generous man, and I feel honoured to have this storyline with him.’

Claire’s character Cassie spent months drugging Ken Barlow. The plan began shortly after Ken told her that he no longer needed her help as a carer.

Not wanting to lose her income, and the friendship she had built with Ken, Cassie began lacing his tea with antihistamines.

Fortunately, Cassie’s plot was exposed recently in the show, but it came after her actions caused Ken to fall unwell multiple times.

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Former Coronation Street star Chloe Newsome looks worlds away from her cobbles role – 25 years since her last appearance. But do you remember which character she played?

If you were watching the ITV soap in the 90s, you might remember Chloe as the first wife of Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) – Vicky Arden.

The Sheffield born actress, 48, assumed the role from originator Helen Warburton in 1991.

She went on to appear in 256 episodes of The Street, departing in 1996 and making a brief return in 1998.

Chloe also starred in 1999 spin-off After Hours, which followed Steve and Vikram Desai (Chris Bisson) driving to Calais for cheap booze.

En route, the lads bumped into Vicky and legends Bet Gilroy (Julie Goodyear) and Reg Holdsworth (Ken Morley) in Brighton.

Alongside her Corrie role, Chloe has also appeared in Children’s Ward, The Bill, and more recently a BBC Radio 4 adaption of Agatha Christie’s The Lie.

She married husband Kevin Spruce in 2013, and the pair share a number of children.

On their ten year anniversary she wrote, alongside a photo of them atop a mountain: ’10 years ago today, we were off to Iceland on our honeymoon. Today we once again donned our storm wear & ventured out.

‘I do love braving the elements with you Mr Spruce. Here’s to the next 10 & some.’

Regularly taking to Instagram to share family snaps, the star now sports a luscious blonde hairstyle, worlds away from her mousey brown hair of over two decades ago.

Troubled Vicky arrived in Weatherfield to stay with her grandfather Alec Gilroy (Roy Barraclough) following the death of her wealthy parents in a car accident.

Steve’s eyes lit up when he realised he could benefit financially from a relationship with her, and she soon started working for his t-shirt printing company Dun 2 A T.

Following their marriage, she eventually saw through his façade and testified against him in court, when he was facing charges for handling stolen whisky and perverting the course of justice.

The character later went on to run a wine bar, Vicky’s, and married a man named Robert.

On the eve of their wedding, she spent time with Steve – though when he learnt that she was facing financial difficulties, lost interest in a reunion.

Although she’s been rarely mentioned since, Vicky led the way for a number of women to walk down the aisle with Steve.

His second marriage to Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) in 2018 was the seventh time!

As we know, the pair have since separated following her affair with Tommy Orpington (Matt Milburn).

Will he find another lucky woman to call Mrs McDonald?

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Coronation Street’s Craig Tinker will be joined by a familiar face on the cobbles next week, as a former star returns to the soap ahead of his exit.

Actor Colson Smith announced his departure as local copper Craig after 14 years, revealing that he’d known for a while that this was set to be his final contract.

It was later reported that his character’s exit storyline would result in his heroic death.

Ahead of his final scenes, it has now been revealed that Craig’s police colleague PC Jess Haywood will be returning, as actress Donnaleigh Bailey reprises her role. 

The character, who was introduced as a mentor to Craig when he joined the force, was last seen two years ago after appearing intermittently since 2017. 

Donnaleigh, who is also known for her role as Michelle Corrigan in BBC soap Doctors from 2006 to 2010, is on the cast list for next week’s episodes.

Spoilers have revealed that PC Haywood will share scenes with Craig and fellow locals Hope Dobbs (Isabella Flanagan) and Jack Webster (Kyran Bowes).

Colson has played Craig for 14 years, after joining the soap at just 12 years old, and has had some huge stories in that time, including an OCD diagnosis and an ill-fated relationship with Faye Windass (Ellie Leach).

Earlier this week, Colson revealed he had finished filming on Corrie with a post on Instagram. 

Sharing a picture of himself sat above the Rovers Return sign, he wrote: ‘CORONATION STREET I LOVE YOU, THANK YOU.’

However, eagle-eyed fans also noticed his photo contained a huge spoiler about the future of the iconic boozer. 

Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 or stream first from 7am on ITVX.

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Coronation Street confirms the drama to come next week on the cobbles, as seen in our new spoiler pictures, with a devastating ordeal on the cards for one Street favourite – and romance blossoming elsewhere.

Dee-Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown) is overcome by pain while at the hospital, with the midwife telling her to go home and rest.

At the flat, however, her waters break and thus she’s rushed back to hospital, wracked with pain. It soon becomes apparent that she’s suffering from pre-eclampsia – and the baby needs to be delivered immediately.

Afterwards, Dee-Dee is informed that she had to have an emergency hysterectomy – and she won’t be able to have children.

The news leaves her reeling, with Ed (Trevor Michael Georges) offering advice on baby Laila. Later, Dee-Dee informs Sarah Platt (Tina O’Brien) and Alya Nazir (Sair Khan) that this whole situation was avoidable – and she intends to make a complaint to the hospital.

Elsewhere on the Street, Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) receives a visit from Theo, who apologises for the way he’s been previously.

The two men cracking open some beers and enjoying one another’s company at No. 11. But as Theo admits that he finds Todd attractive, one thing leads to another, with a passionate kiss – and potentially more – on the cards.

Has Todd finally found his Mr. Right?

Over at the Rovers, Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan) is unable to forgive Jenny Connor (Sally Ann Matthews) and thus make contact with mum Christina, who subsequently returns to the cobbles as part of a plan the barmaid is concocting to get revenge on the pub landlady.

But will it all pay off?

Coronation Street airs these scenes between Monday, March 31 and Friday, April 4 at 8pm on ITV1 or stream from 7am on ITVX.

If you’ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@metro.co.uk – we’d love to hear from you.

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Coronation Street’s Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) makes an unlikely new friend next week. 

His wife Abi Webster (Sally Carman) is forced to leave him during his latest chemo session, leading to him bonding with a fellow local. 

Kevin is anxious in forthcoming scenes on the ITV soap when Abi has to collect a sick Alfie from nursery during his treatment at the hospital. 

Julie Carp (Katy Cavanagh) then finds an upset Kevin on a bench outside and suggests they head home together. 

While Julie having recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer herself, the two start chatting away. 

But time gets away from then and Abi is worried when she later can’t get hold of Kevin. 

She’s later cross to realise Kevin was with Julie and didn’t tell her. 

The incident is just the start of more cracks in Kevin and Abi’s relationship, as a forthcoming storyline will see Abi cheat on him with his brother. 

Carl Webster is set to arrive in Weatherfield in the coming weeks, with actor Jonathan Howard taking on the role of the previously unseen Webster sibling. 

Carl shares a dad – Bill – with Debbie (Sue Devaney) and Kevin, though the siblings have a different mum. He’s also grown up in Germany, where he was born in 1986.

The character will make his first appearance on 11 April, when he clashes with Abi over a car parking space.

Before long, sparks begin to fly and the pair find themselves in a passionate embrace – both blissfully unaware of the family connection…

Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 or stream first from 7am on ITVX.

If you’ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@metro.co.uk – we’d love to hear from you.

Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage.

It’s been a week to remember for Coronation Street teenager Betsy Swain as she recovers after being accidentally shot by her own mum Lisa. 

Actress Sydney Martin, 22, tells me what the consequences will be for the family unit with Carla Connor (Alison King) that Betsy and Lisa have built on the cobbles, and reflects on her Weatherfield journey so far.

She also discusses how she winds down from more intense and overwhelming months, and shares love for the fans who continue to support her.  

How is life at Corrie for you at the moment?

It’s been a whirlwind. It’s been really good, and I’m obviously very lucky to be busy and to be working with Ali and Vicky. It’s been mad! Obviously, we had the big Mason storyline that came out in January, which is when all these Rob scenes were shot.

In a good way, it was a busy, overwhelming month – it’s been great, I feel very lucky to be busy and working.

How does it feel to be trusted with these powerful storylines?

I’ve got a really good relationship with our producer Kate [Brooks], she’s just fabulous and she’s really supportive. It’s been amazing to be given the opportunity to be at the forefront of a lot of things, I’ve really, really enjoyed filming the stuff with Luca and Liam in the special ep [that aired] in January. 

It’s just been great to be able to tell these stories and to be given the trust to be able to tell them as well. We have such a close relationship with everyone that it’s a second family.. I feel very grateful.

What does it feel like to have a big fanbase, do you get a lot of nice responses?

People are so incredibly lovely. TikTok has just gone crazy, in the best way! People are so supportive and to see all of the time they put into the edits is just so sweet, and so nice to have that backing for the character.

We always have fun with it, but it adds an extra layer of sweetness to it.

At the end of the day I’m playing a teenager growing up, and a lot of young people can relate to that. It’s good that the younger audience of Corrie can have someone to relate to, and to see themselves in. I really enjoy doing the ‘being a teenager’ stuff as well as the bigger storylines. 

And the reaction to Swarla [Carla and Lisa’s relationship] has been massive and I really felt the love off that, which has been really nice.

Carla, Lisa and Betsy have built up this really lovely family unit, are you enjoying seeing that develop?

We have so much fun with the domestic side to it, there’s such a nice chemistry between us all. Obviously, they didn’t know at the start when they brought us in as a three what it was going to look like, but it works so nicely.

Three characters that are so different in their own right, but they make such a good combination and obviously throwing Bobby and Ryan into the mix, just that household atmosphere, it’s really fun to play. 

It’s not always [about] the explosive stuff. The home life, the laughs, watching telly, we love doing little things like that. People relate to the home life, and this blended family just works so beautifully together. But obviously, there is some drama in the mix!

It’s quite important that we see a lot of vulnerability in Betsy, she’s had quite a tough life so far and has quite a fierce guard up. Do you think it’s important that we keep seeing that side of her?

Definitely. Off the back, she comes across as this really feisty teenager, but underneath it, she’s still a baby. Mentally she’s probably a little bit younger than her actual age because of everything she’s gone through. She’s put on this tough exterior for quite a long time. It keeps being worn away and it seems to be one thing after another thing.

I think since January, she’s been a little bit more timid than she usually is. It’s hard for her to keep this front up and she’s shy in a way. She has the odd argument, but she hasn’t been as explosive and feisty as she was when she joined The Street. She’s been worn down a bit and it just reminds people that she’s still young and she has been through a lot. 

It’s nice that we get to see this vulnerable side to her, it just reminds people of her age and everything that she’s been through. No matter what her age, she just wants her mum. She just wants that support. That need to be loved and need for attention. 

She’s clearly got a lot of stuff that she probably needs to work on, but at that age, you don’t really realise that. You put a front on and deal with it.

We’ve now reached a big moment where Betsy is shot. How did it feel to be handed the story?

Every time we have a [new] storyline, they always bring Ali and Vicky in first and they never tell me! I’m usually about a week after them. I never heard anything and then I went in for [my meeting], I went into the little booth for a Zoom with Kate and I was like: “Ok… that’s the storyline, I’m going” 

Vicky literally almost cried because she thought that was it. She was like: “Please don’t take her away from me!” We come as a little pair. It was a lot.

[Kate] then told me that Betsy makes it through. It was a bit of a shock, but you have to expect the unexpected in a soap. It’s full of drama. 

Imagine the fan reaction!

It would’ve had a big reaction, I think. I’m so lucky to have Vicky, I think we’re lucky to have each other through it all. Even now, we never go into meetings together. Vicky tries to avoid me and won’t tell me what’s going on! She always wants me to hear for myself. 

In the wake of the accident, although she survives, it doesn’t end there. How does she come to terms with the frightening thing that has happened to her, and what impact does it have on Betsy’s relationship with Lisa?

We find out that it was Lisa’s hand on the trigger. It was her mum who shot her, basically. Lisa instantly feels guilty for that and blames herself. With Betsy, I don’t think she initially thinks about who she can blame. For the past year, she’s just tried to beg her mum not to put herself in danger. 

It kind of feels like she’s broken that promise of keeping herself out of it rather than being: ‘I’ve been shot, this is all your fault.’ She considers that Lisa puts herself in that danger for her to be shot, which is what upsets Betsy more. 

She’s already lost a mum and has told Lisa that it’s something she has anxiety over. But she still chooses to put herself in these situations. This is what is the root of it all is. Lisa knows this, but at the forefront of it, she’s always promised to look after Betsy and has broken that.

Do you think that they are strong enough to get through this, or their relationship might be fractured for some time?

I think until Lisa listens to her, there will always be that strain there until she fully takes on board. She’s trying to be a good mum but it’s her actions she needs to change. Until she does anything about it, there will be that strain there. Carla has played a peacemaker in the relationship between the two and I think that continues to happen. She tries to die it down.

The strain will always be there. It’s Betsy, she’s just like her mum! She loves justice and she will get herself in trouble and will try and make sure the people that were involved get their comeuppance. The people involved have hurt her, and they’ve hurt her family unit.

Would you like to play some happier times for Betsy? Some friendships and some fun? A bit of a breather?

Relationships and friendships on The Street are what makes it what it is. The units. I have some nice stuff coming up with Nina, which is really nice. Me and Mollie [Gallagher] work really well together and I think the characters have been through really similar situations and there’s a nice dynamic between the two. 

I’ve got some good stuff coming up with Cait [Fitton] who plays Lauren. We’re besties in real life and to already have that chemistry that is already that and to bring it on screen is good. We worked as a pair to try and find the comedic light in it. Among all the drama, it’s nice to have a bit of comedy. As serious as it is, she’s still a teenager. She’d still have these funny moments with friends. They’re teenagers having a laugh.

With Betsy and Lauren, they come from two completely different worlds. Betsy has been brought up not having to worry about money and has had superficial things in life. Although she’s been through a lot, in terms of upbringing she’s had a lucky time. 

Lauren hasn’t – and I think that’s a really nice dynamic that they explore. Betsy’s had the silver spoon and Lauren hasn’t. To explore that between the two of them is really nice. Happy moments, friendships and connections are what makes Coronation Street.

What do you do away from work to wind down after a dramatic time filming?

I live with my two best friends and currently, we’re obsessed with Married at First Sight. I love just putting on good telly. It can become a lot – January was a tough month. We had all of the big episodes come out – which was fantastic – but it can be a little overwhelming and we were really busy at work, back-to-back. 

It’s a privilege to do but it can, when you’re doing a lot of emotional stuff, have an effect on you. I’ve got such a great support system around me.

Coming home, getting in my jammies and putting my phone down, putting on Married at First Sight, and just spending time with the people around me are the reasons I can keep doing this. 

They’re such a great support system. That’s what winds me down. 

I’m always busy and doing something because for some reason I can’t sit still but my great support system helps me wind down from it.

We’ve known for a few months that Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan) will soon be leaving Coronation Street.

Now, her exit scenes have been confirmed – and there’s a lot still to come before we ultimately say goodbye to her.

The character’s life changed when she discovered she was pregnant, but wasn’t sure if the father was Kit Green (Jacob Roberts) or Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard).

When Daisy learnt the truth via a DNA test, she chose to lie to Daniel, allowing him to believe he was going to become a dad again.

When Daniel discovered Daisy and Jenny Connor’s (Sally Ann Matthews) lie, Daisy’s hopes of being a mum were taken away from her. In a panic, she rushed out of the Rovers but ended up being involved in a car accident.

After getting rushed to hospital, Daisy then learnt she had suffered a miscarriage. Broken by the development, Daisy blamed Jenny and said if they hadn’t lied to Daniel in the first place, her baby would still be alive.

With more twists and turns ahead involving Daisy and her relationships with residents on the cobbles, a Coronation Street spokesperson has confirmed to Metro that her exit will be a strong focus next month.

They said: ‘The story is a huge one for us in April and runs for weeks with lots of shocks, twists and turns. An exit story is not just about the moment the character leaves the street it is about the events that lead up to that departure.

‘The loss of her baby started the trail of events which lead to her brilliant exit.’

Before she departs, Daisy will have to deal with the return of her biological mother Christina (Amy Robbins).

However, as Daisy’s relationship with Jenny remains in a difficult place, the dynamic she has with Christina will be slightly different.

Instead of finding her mum simply insufferable, Daisy will create a plan with Christina to catfish Jenny, allowing her to believe she’s building a connection with a man from a dating app.

Ouch.

This article contains spoilers for tonight’s Coronation Street, which has not yet aired on TV but is available to watch now on ITVX.

It seems the end has finally come for escaped prisoner Rob Donovan (Marc Baylis) after he was finally caught and arrested in last night’s dramatic episode.

Rob had been on the run ever since breaking out of hospital after donating his kidney to sister Carla Connor (Alison King).

As his situation became more desperate, he got Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford)to help him take Carla hostage by threatening her at gunpoint.

Carla was soon joined by DS Lisa Swain (Vicky Myers), who was desperate to stop her from getting hurt – so much so that she wrestled Rob for the gun.

Their tussle tragically resulted in Lisa’s daughter Betsy Swain (Sydney Martin) being shot in the shoulder and rushed to hospital, with an agonising wait for news.

Unfortunately, what the doctor had to say wasn’t what Lisa or Carla wanted to hear, as he revealed that Betsy could suffer permanent loss of sensation to her arm.

This was made all the worse by the news that Rob was set to come out unscathed and make a full recovery, before being taken back to prison for an extended stay.

Devastated, Lisa fled the hospital ward and paid a visit to the one person she thought would be able to make her feel better: Rob.

It was clear she was furious from the moment she arrived, even before she asked Rob to remind her how much he hated prison just to cheer her up.

Having confessed to Carla that it was her finger on the trigger when the gun went off, meaning that she had been the one to shoot Betsy, it was no wonder that Rob’s suggestion that she should have shot him when she’d had the chance wound her up no end.

Instead of lashing out at him like he wanted, Lisa managed to maintain her composure, instead promising to give his love to Carla and thanking him for the kidney.

This pushed Rob’s buttons, and he wasted no time in warning Lisa that her girlfriend was trouble.

He lamented how she brought everyone around her down while still managing to come out on top herself.

Though Lisa tried not to show it, it was clear Rob’s warning had cast doubt on her relationship.

Returning to the ward and a worried Carla, Lisa insisted that Betsy’s injury was down to Carla and Rob, and that she never should have given her a second thought after finding out about her act of ABH last year.

Carla was devastated as Lisa spelled out that she needed to focus on Betsy, before turning her back on the factory boss.

Having caused carnage in his wake and seemingly split up Carla and Lisa, is this the last we’ve seen of Rob? Or could he already be planning his next escape attempt?