Things got a little awkward, although very funny for Adam Thomas recently, after he found himself in what he described as a ‘very difficult’ situation involving his brother’s girlfriend.

The former Emmerdale star shared the story on the brothers’ podcast, ‘At Home With The Thomas Bros’, where nothing is off limits and embarrassing family moments are very much fair game.

Chatting alongside his brothers Ryan Thomas and Scott Thomas, Adam admitted he was left completely flustered after unexpectedly walking into Scott’s house.

According to Adam, he had popped round casually, not realising Scott’s girlfriend, pro dancer Lauren Kingsman, was there. And when he walked in, he got a bit more of a surprise than he bargained for.

‘I didn’t know Lauren was there,’ he explained, already cringing at the memory. ‘So I’ve walked in, and she’s all nonchalant in these jogging bottoms and this bikini top…’

Scott quickly jumped in to correct him, laughing, ‘sports bra.’

But the damage was already done.

Adam went on to admit that he didn’t quite know where to look as Lauren tried to chat with him. ‘She was trying to have a conversation with me and for a guy, my natural instinct was just to…’ he said, gesturing to his eyes while his brothers burst out laughing.

It didn’t take long for Ryan to wind him up either, joking: ‘So what you’re telling me is that you fancy your brother’s girlfriend?’

Adam was quick to shut that down. ‘No! It was just a… very difficult situation,’ he insisted. ‘She’s trying to have a conversation with me and I’m just sweating and I need to go. I just need to go.’

Safe to say, he didn’t stick around long.

The brothers’ podcast has become a go-to for fans who love hearing their unfiltered chats. Meanwhile, Scott and Lauren’s relationship has been going strong since they made things official on New Year’s Eve 2025. The couple first went public after Scott’s stint on Love Island All Stars, which came nearly a decade after he first rose to fame on Love Island.

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Since then, Scott has been open about how much Lauren means to him, especially during a difficult time in his life following the loss of his beloved dog, Juno.

Sharing an emotional tribute at the time, Scott revealed he felt the timing of meeting Lauren brought him a sense of comfort. He described his pet as his ‘whole entire life’ and said he believed everything happened when it was meant to.

‘I really do believe in divine timing,’ he said, explaining how Lauren had been there to support him when he needed it most.

Lauren has also already met the wider Thomas family, after joining them for New Year’s celebrations, and it sounds like she’s passed the test. Ryan, who is in a relationship with Lucy Mecklenburgh, reportedly gave the relationship his seal of approval.

As for Adam, he might need a bit more time to recover from that first encounter. It’s a conversation only brothers could have and get away with. The trio are known for pulling each other’s legs, but they don’t shy away from opening up about the more serious subjects on their show either.

But at least he can laugh about it now, even if he did make a very quick exit at the time.

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This article contains spoilers for tonight’s (April 6) episode of Coronation Street, which has not yet aired on TV but is available to watch now on YouTube and ITVX.

If there’s one thing that not a single Corrie fan doubts, it’s that Ronnie Bailey’s (Vinta Morgan) will to look after Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) is simply unshakeable. Another undisputed fact among Weatherfield faithful is that Carl Webster (Jonathan Howard) can not be trusted.

Ever.

It didn’t take Carl long after Debbie was released from the clink, for a crime that he committed, mind you, for him to resume his campaign to extract as much cash from her as possible.

Visiting her inside and perennially on the beg, the guilt Debbie felt for giving her son away at birth and only recently admitting all to him, led to much money being handed over as she desperately tried to make everything better, but her hope was false.

Carl had almost no interest in building a relationship with his sister-turned-mum – he wanted a cash injection and to be on his way.

Debbie was finally set free yesterday, but had her nearest and dearest panicked when she promptly disappeared. With her dementia ever-worsening, Ronnie and brother Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) were terrified.

As it turned out, though, Debbie was completely fine, and had taken herself off for a cheeky swing at the precinct. As she seemingly slipped into confusion, though, Carl approached, and she admitted she was playing, managing to talk an ice cream out of him.

Retiring to her flat, Carl and Debbie seemingly began to bond on a very real level, with Carl’s tough-as-nails exterior beginning to crack as he showed real guilt for what he’d put her through, delivering a genuine apology and declaring his love, with him finally accepting her as his mum…

…until he started asking for money. Again.

Todays trip to the cobbles saw our diminutive dynamo ready to return to work and get cracking. Out of her prison duds and exploding back into the Chariot Square hotel dressed to kill, Debbie was on a mission to reclaim her pre-prison identity, and also to shuffle ten grand out of the hotel’s accounts and into Carl’s.

Carl was jittery, constantly bugging Debbie about the cash, and Ronnie’s hackles turned vertical when he learned about the amount of money his wife was preparing to hand over. As Carl became more and more uncomfortable with how much Debbie was willing to share with Ronnie, especially that the money was being used to pay off Fiona, Ronnie grew more angry and, once alone, he decided to seek the truth from the source.

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With Debbie insisting that Carl work at the hotel to pay off his new debt to her, Ryan Connor’s (Ryan Prescott) nose was seriously put out of joint, having fired Carl previously. Approaching Carl and demanding he put in a shift that evening, the two males traded barbs, with Carl smugly declaring that he’d always come first with Debbie, and battling him would prove to be fruitless.

But battle Ryan did, and as they approached Debbie while at each other’s throats, Ryan was prepared to walk away, completely unable to deal with Carl, until Debbie offered to fatten his pay cheque.

As things got more heated, Ronnie returned and detonated the bomb that Fiona had handed him: Carl owes her £5,000, not £10,000. He spelt it out clearly as Debbie’s heart broke – Carl was using her to pay his debt, and line his own pockets.

Though Carl spluttered and scrambled, Debbie could take no more, hurting from yet another extortion attempt. She declared to Carl that they were finished as the scales fell from her eyes and shattered on the floor.

Inflicting yet another enormous wound on the only person who loves him in the whole world, has Carl lost his last lifeline? Could this have any bearing on the upcoming murder that’ll lessen Coronation Street of one of it’s many baddies?

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The sweetest undertaker in Weatherfield, George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley) is determined to save Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) from the evil clutches of Theo Silverton (James Cartwright), and Coronation Street fans are here for it.

For months, poor Todd’s nightmare has seemed endless as his manipulate fiancée has subjected him to every kind of abuse imaginal – emotional gaslighting, sexual coercion, financial control and terrifying bouts of violence. This has all happened behind closed doors, with Todd’s nearest and dearest being oblivious to the danger he’s in thanks to the wholesome ‘perfect boyfriend’ image Theo revels in portraying.

Last night, that all came crashing down in flames.

The morning after their shotgun ‘wedding’, Todd was understandably feeling delicate and wanted to sleep off the kind of hangover you only get when you’ve just married the Devil himself.

However, Theo suggested they hit the bedroom for some ‘exercise’. When Todd gently rejected his advances, the raging egomaniac slunk out for a run with his tail between his legs… but not before making a nasty remark about Todd’s weight.

Returning from his run, Theo still wasn’t satisfied and gave Todd a barrage of vile abuse through the bathroom door. ‘I’ve just run off the bad mood that you put me in, you joyless little porker’. He spat. ‘FYI the old wounded bride routine, it’s boring my leg off. Are you going to look like a wounded hippo every time we fall out? Dearie me. I really am the luckiest groom in the world!”

When Todd walked through the front door, Theo’s face was a picture. But not as much as when George walked out of the bathroom door. He’d just popped round for a cuppa, and Todd had nipped out to get milk. It wasn’t Todd that Theo just gave a barrel full of verbal abuse too – it was George. The monster was finally exposed.

Caught, Theo tried to backtrack and dismiss his comments as banter. But George wasn’t buying it.

‘Funny, isn’t it?’ He mused, staring Theo right in the eye ‘You can go to bed with Doctor Jekyll, and wake up with Mister Hyde.’

Defensive, Theo ordered a conflicted Todd to defend him and explain it’s just banter, which did not go down well with George. ‘Stop telling him what to say!’ he barked at Theo, before assuring Todd that he was always here for support. ‘No need to tell me anything’. George promised. ‘You know where I live. Mi casa and all that.’

Later, George reported back to the closest thing Todd’s got to a daughter, Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby), who is horrified to hear that Theo might be an abuser. The revelations from George make her reflect on the couple’s recent nuptials, where Theo led a blindfolded Todd into a wedding.

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‘That wasn’t a wedding.’ George feared. ‘That was a kidnapping. Who did Todd have for his big day? Gary and Maria. He would have wanted us there! Me and you!’

Shaken, Summer wondered if George believes that Theo has actually hit Todd. ‘I’m afraid I do.’ George admitted. ‘I’m afraid I do. If he hasn’t already. Cast your mind back. Five or six months. Todd’s been over the shop. I’m sorry, love. I know this is a lot to put on young shoulders. But round here, we’re the only family he’s got.’ When Summer despaired over what they could do to protect Todd, George’s reply was simple. ‘Get him away from that monster’.

A nation full of Corrie fans cheered. Many of them took to the Metro Soaps Facebook page to cheer George on.

One user, Rosia D’alessandro wrote ‘George knows the signs as he got bullied and mocked in school in he’s younger days, I am so glad he was there.’ 

Thomas Merry commented ‘George is one of Corrie’s best characters played so well by an obviously talented actor…I like him with Christina too, she’s really grown on me.’

Some fans even guessed where the story was going, sharing theories that George and Summer will soon enlist the help of Gary Windass (Mikey North) , Theo’s mate and professional Coronation Street bad boy.

Mary Clarke Quinn wrote ‘Theo always has the upper hand. George and summer are no match for him they should tell Gary he won’t mess with him’

Kath Kilcommons agreed, sharing her own thoughts. ‘Sarah or Summer might tell Maria, and she tells Garry. He starts watching Theo with Todd, his actions and belittling him… That’s my theory anyway’

Recruiting Gary as an ally may be something of a double-edged sword. As Theo’s friend, mentor and employee on the building site, he’ll surely be livid to hear that someone he trusted so much is capable of such vile disgusting… and we know what happens when Gary gets livid.

Fans may remember that he’s already killed two people in the show. Unleashing the reformed wrong’un on Theo might make things worse.

Nevertheless. It’s a good theory. Will it come to pass?

The following article contains spoilers from the episode of Coronation Street dated March 25. It hasn’t aired on ITV1 yet, but can be viewed on ITVX.

George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley) is now very close to the truth about Theo Silverton (James Cartwright) in Coronation Street.

The beloved character has never been a massive fan of Theo, but knew Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) wasn’t going to leave him just because he thought he was bad news.

It’s all been about respecting Todd and not overstepping any boundaries, but that’s now getting increasingly harder for George to do, as he’s witnessed some situations involving Theo that have left him deeply concerned.

Yesterday, George and Christina Boyd (Amy Robbins) were taken aback to learn that Theo and Todd had reunited. They had split up because Theo decided they weren’t happy in their relationship. In the aftermath of this, as confused as Todd was about the sudden ending, he did try and move forward, which was recognised by George and Christina.

Theo wormed his way back into Todd’s life after forcing him to miss the marathon he had spent months training for. He took advantage of Todd’s vulnerability and asked for another chance, and Todd said yes.

To try and convince them both that he had changed, Theo decided to take Christina and George for lunch. In the Bistro, Theo spoke about how he’s going to do better in his relationship, and make more effort with those closest to Todd as well.

George and Christina listened, but couldn’t hide the perplexed expressions from their faces. In a quiet moment, they agreed to just play along, hoping that Todd would eventually come to his senses and realise he does deserve better.

Unbeknownst to them both, Theo was busy planning a surprise for Todd that would bound them together forever.

In today’s instalment, Theo rocked up to the funeral parlour suited and booted, ready for the big event. He took Todd away and led him to a registry office, where he revealed they were now about to get married.

Acting as witnesses to the wedding were Gary Windass (Mikey North) and Maria Connor (Samia Longchambon), who both thought Theo’s surprise was romantic and wonderful.

The ceremony was incredibly uncomfortable to watch. As Theo read his vows, which were an entire A4 page, Todd watched with horror in his eyes, but a smile on his face to prevent suspicion from rising.

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Actor Gareth Pierce did an absolutely amazing job at portraying two contrasting energies. To those in the registry office, Todd was overwhelmed with Theo’s loving gesture but to us, Todd’s eyes revealed the real truth – this was a man trapped and screaming for help.

In the pub later, Gary and Maria told everyone to welcome in the newly married couple. It left the likes of George, Christina, Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) and Sarah Platt (Tina O’Brien) stunned, as they had to try and process their very close friend had got married without inviting them.

While most of Todd’s pals were happy for him, George and Summer couldn’t help but grow concerned. They found the whole thing bizarre, and it only added to George’s theory that something was seriously wrong.

Christina said to George that he’s talking as though Theo forced Todd to get married – and George was starting to wonder if this was true.

In tomorrow’s episode, George’s fear that Todd is in danger will grow even more when he hears Theo spouting vile abuse through the bathroom door.

Theo slips up by assuming that Todd is in the bathroom, and begins to attack his character. When Todd returns from the shop and George appears behind the door, Theo is quietly horrified.

What will George’s next move be?

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Reality is hitting Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) in Coronation Street that Megan Walsh (Beth Nixon) only began a relationship with him to cover up her abuse of Will Driscoll (Lucas Hodgson-Wale).

The truth about Megan was exposed last week in the ITV soap, when teenager Sam Blakeman (Jude Riordan) finally told Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) why he had been struggling so much.

Unbeknownst to her, Sam was being manipulated by Megan into keeping quiet about her relationship with Will. Megan’s vile words eventually began to have a detrimental impact on Sam’s wellbeing.

The youngster had spent time in hospital after collapsing. At first, he refused to tell Leanne what was going on, but the determined character pushed for the truth when she spotted Megan speaking to Sam and grew suspicious.

Will’s step-mum Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley) then found out and told Ben Driscoll (Aaron McCusker).

At the moment, the Driscolls are having a difficult time proving Sam’s claims because the police cannot find any evidence that something inappropriate took place between Megan and Will.

To make matters worse, Will remains in denial about what’s happened, and is continuing to leave voice messages for Megan, hoping she’ll return so they can be together.

At Weathy High School, teacher Daniel has been seen trying to reconnect with Sam and earn his forgiveness over not believing his comments about Megan.

The fact that he was so oblivious to Megan’s true nature begins to hit Daniel hard next week. While at the Barlow household, Daniel opens up to Ken Barlow (William Roache) and talks about how Megan used him as cover while abusing Will.

Ken listens, but can’t help feel concerned and how bitter Daniel feels.

In the week, Bethany Platt’s (Lucy Fallon) afternoon with Jodie Ramsey (Olivia Frances-Brown) in the Bistro is interrupted when a drunk Daniel has a pop at Bethany for her past behaviour.

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It’s a clear sign that Daniel is finding it difficult to process everything that’s been happening with Megan, and his potential need for revenge makes him a prime suspect in next month’s murder investigation.

Megan is among the list of five Weatherfield residents who are in with a chance of facing their demise in April. Betsy Swain (Sydney Martin) is going to find a dead body on the cobbles, but will it end up being Megan’s?

And will her death be orchestrated by Daniel, who’s absolutely got form when it comes to violent payback?

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It looks like the end could be near for Theo in Coronation Street, and according to the actor who plays him, James Cartwright, things are about to spiral in a big way.

After weeks of tension, manipulation and some seriously questionable behaviour, Theo’s carefully crafted image is starting to fall apart. And as the drama ramps up, the actor has made it clear that his character is heading into dangerous territory, with no easy way back.

Since his split from Todd Grimshaw, Theo hasn’t exactly been heartbroken in the traditional sense. In fact, the breakup itself was all part of the plan.

‘Oh, 100%. Even the breakup is disingenuous. The breakup is about regaining control in itself.’

Rather than losing Todd, Theo made sure he stayed one step ahead, ending things first so he could keep the upper hand.

‘The last thing Theo wants to do is break up with Todd, but he’s seizing control.’

And from there, it’s all been about pulling the strings. Theo leans into emotional manipulation, making Todd question everything while presenting himself as the wounded one. ‘He’s got his hooks into Todd, and it’s all about trying to reel him in’, James admitted.

It only gets darker from there. When Todd pushes himself to take part in a marathon, something completely out of his comfort zone, Theo deliberately sabotages it.

‘Because in doing so he creates a need for himself to support Todd, to tell him don’t worry, it’s not your fault.’

What might have started as opportunistic behaviour has now become something far more calculated.

‘I think Theo started off as an opportunist, but now he’s definitely drifting into the arena of a master manipulator, and it’s very, very cruel now.’ The actor doesn’t hold back when describing where Theo is mentally, either:

‘He’s just completely lost sight of any moral compass, there’s absolutely no moral fibre left in the man.’

And while viewers can clearly see how toxic things have become, Theo himself doesn’t see it that way at all.

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‘He thinks it’s love, he thinks it’s all for the best. He doesn’t see that what he’s doing is wrong… but from the outside, you realise he’s become a monster now. He’s a total monster.’

Part of what makes Theo so dangerous is how he isolates Todd, slowly cutting him off from everyone else in his life. ‘He just keeps breaking Todd down so that Todd feels so low and alienated, that the only person who can support him is Theo.’

But cracks are starting to show. George Shuttleworth and Christina Boyd are beginning to question Theo’s behaviour, and that’s something he can’t afford to ignore.

‘George is the person who could really throw a hand grenade in the hearth. He’s a very strong person with a great moral compass.’

Knowing people are starting to catch on, Theo makes a desperate move to lock Todd in for good, a surprise wedding. ‘It’s to give him no choice.’

On the surface, it looks romantic. In reality, it’s all about control. ‘Essentially, he’s presenting it as this romantic grand gesture, but in springing it on him, he’s making sure that he doesn’t have a choice. He’s absolutely painting him into a corner.’ James confirmed.

The rushed timing is no accident either.

‘For Theo, the quicker it’s done, the less can be said; it’s almost too late if they’re already married.’

But despite his confidence, there’s a sense that Theo knows things are slipping. And then comes the moment that changes everything.

In a heated scene, Theo is heard shouting abuse at Todd, completely unaware that George is inside and listening. When George steps in, the truth is finally exposed.

‘Yeah, the game’s up, isn’t it? This could be the beginning of the end, the toothpaste out the tube.’ It’s a turning point that Theo can’t undo.

And from here, things aren’t looking good.

With his behaviour out in the open and his closest people turning against him, Theo’s grip is slipping fast, and it seems like his time on the cobbles could be heading for a dramatic end.

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Serial sex predator Andrew Davies who was dubbed the ‘Coronation Street rapist’ has died in jail. 

Davies, formerly known as Andrew Barlow and Andrew Longmire, was given 13 life sentences for his crimes, which spread terror across the north of England in the 1980s. 

The serial rapist from Bolton struck mainly in Greater Manchester, but also committed crimes in four other counties, targeting women alone often in their terraced homes after waiting for husbands or fathers to leave the property in the morning. 

Davies was released in 2023 after 34 years in prison, but was recalled to prison just six weeks later. 

It is understood Davies, 69, died from natural causes just over two weeks ago. 

Today one of his victims, who was raped at knifepoint by Barlow in her own bed in 1987, told Manchester Evening News: ‘It’s a relief… but it isn’t. I still relive what he did to me. It is a very difficult feeling to handle.’

A Prison Service spokesperson said: ‘These were despicable crimes, and our thoughts remain with the victims of Andrew Davies.’ 

The predator was taken to a probation service hostel by a police escort on March 6, 2023 following his release, but was returned to prison for breach of his licence conditions and due to his behaviour. At the time it was assessed that the risk he posed was not manageable in the community.  

Andrew Davies died in prison just over two weeks ago from natural causes aged 69

Andrew Davies, a serial sex attacker dubbed the ‘Coronation Street’ rapist, was once Britain’s most wanted man

Davies appealed against his recall at a hearing in June 2024. In July that year it was announced by the parole board that his application had been refused.  

A panel decided he ‘would present a very high risk of a contact sexual offence at this time’. It added: ‘His risk of serious harm towards other people was considered to be very high.’ 

Davies was a prisoner at HMP Moorland, near Doncaster, a category C prison. A spokesperson for the prison service said: ‘Andrew Davies, previously called Andrew Barlow and Andrew Longmire, died on February 28 2026. 

‘As with all deaths in custody the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate.’

The prospect of his release angered victims and their families, who campaigned to keep him behind bars with the help of veteran Manchester MP Graham Stringer. 

The relative of one of his victims told the Manchester Evening News in 2024: ‘A parole hearing took place in regards to his recall last year after being out in the community for just six weeks after he broke some of the 32 license conditions he was given. He is an unsafe rapist who hasn’t changed in my eyes.’

Barlow’s release was delayed after the then-Justice Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Dominic Raab, asked the Parole Board to reconsider its decision.

Mr Raab described Barlow’s offences as ‘despicable’ and said in January 2023: ‘My thoughts remain with the victims of Andrew Barlow, whose despicable crimes blighted the lives of dozens of women.

Davies was freed on parole in March 2023, despite then-Justice Secretary Dominic Raab attempting to halt his release, slamming his crimes as ‘despicable’

‘Public protection is my number one priority, which is why I’ve asked the Parole Board to reconsider their decision to release and I am overhauling the parole system to keep prisoners who pose a risk to the public off our streets.’

After Barlow’s rapid return to prison in April 2023, Mr Stringer said: ‘It is extraordinary. I think this is another failure of the Parole Board to use common sense and protect the public from a very dangerous man. 

‘They were warned by me and the victims. This is institutional failure of the highest order.’ 

A relative of a woman Barlow raped in her own home in Greater Manchester in 1987 said in May 2023 after the Manchester Evening News broke the news of his recall to prison: ‘I took it on the chin in January and decided to get on with my life when Barlow was released – now this animal is back in our lives again. We told the authorities and they didn’t listen.

‘Someone has to be accountable for this. It will mean all the victims and their families are reliving the agony again like we had to in January when we tried in vain to stop his release. 

‘We told the authorities he was too high a risk and we have been proven right.’

The daughter of a woman whose mother was raped in Greater Manchester by Barlow in the early 1980s said: ‘I was shocked when I heard that he was being recalled so soon. 

‘But then when I thought about how evil and twisted he was when committing his crimes it doesn’t surprise me.

The cold cases were eventually solved thanks to advances in DNA technology which linked Davies (pictured) to the crimes 

‘When the victim support officer told me I had goosebumps all over my body and then my eyes swelled up with tears, I was thinking who has he attacked this time? 

‘The officer told me that he had not hurt anyone but that his behaviour had meant an immediate recall to prison. I am just pleased he has been monitored so closely as his behaviour whatever it was could have escalated.’

Barlow was given 11 life sentences in 1988 for raping 11 women, and an additional 56 years for other offences. 

In 2010, and then again in 2017, he received two more life sentences after rapes he committed in 1981 and 1982, which were linked to him through advances in DNA technology. 

As he had already surpassed his original 20-year tariff imposed in 1988 just another two years were added to his sentence in each case.

He was dubbed ‘The Coronation Street rapist’ as most of the victims were attacked in their own terraced homes in the north of England, the majority living in Greater Manchester. 

He also struck in Cheshire, Staffordshire, Lancashire, and South Yorkshire in the early 1980s, and then again from August 1987 until January 1988 when he was arrested.

Barlow was sought by police in the 1980s over 11 of the rapes. 

During the hunt for him he evaded police at Leeds railway station and went on to shoot at two officers when he was finally arrested in Bebington, Merseyside. 

The officers were not injured and Longmire was later convicted of their attempted murder.

Maggie Driscoll (Pauline McLynn) is holding two secrets very close to her chest in Coronation Street. One of them is that she murdered her husband, the other is that her son shares a father with someone else in Weatherfield.

The possibility of the latter being revealed increases next week in the show, as she discovers grandson Ollie Driscoll (Raphael Akuwudike) is interested in Amy Barlow (Elle Mulvaney).

To anyone else, this isn’t a problem, but for Maggie, it’s an absolute nightmare, as she secretly realises Ollie is developing romantic feelings for his cousin!

As Amy and Ollie head to Speed Daal for another date, Maggie pulls Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton) to one side and tells her to go home, dress to impress, and head to Speed Daal to show Ollie what he’s missing.

Lauren does just that. When she gets to the restaurant, she finds Ollie and Amy chatting and getting on well. However, when Ollie spies Lauren, he cannot tear his eyes away.

The next day, Ollie rounds on Maggie for using Lauren to sabotage his date with Amy. He’s then left feeling further torn between the two women, as Lauren admits to Ollie that she really likes him.

Also next week, Maggie watches Ben Driscoll (Aaron McCusker) support Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) at Jim McDonald’s (Charles Lawson) wake.

After waking up with a hangover, Ben ends up missing his hospital appointment, increasing Maggie’s agitation.

Eva Price (Catherine Tyldesley) tells Maggie that while she realises Jim’s funeral must’ve stirred up memories of losing Ben’s father, she cannot take it out on the punters.

Unbeknownst to Eva, Ben’s biological father is actually Jim McDonald, making him Steve’s brother.

This is why Maggie is trying to sabotage Ollie’s new romance with Amy but as she’s so reluctant to tell the truth, is she just going to permanently damage her relationship with her grandson?

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Of all the people in Coronation Street, scheming soap bitch Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) is possibly the least likely to keep a secret – especially if exposing that secret has dire consequences for her enemy, Cassie Plummer (Claire Sweeney).

Cassie and Tracy don’t get on, and that’s putting it mildly. These two warring women have been locked in a tense and bitter feud for so long, it’s a wonder one of them hasn’t ended up dead in the Rovers face down in their G&T.

Understandably, Tracy took a dislike to Cassie as soon as she exposed her for drugging her dad Ken Barlow (William Roache) to make him dependant on her while acting as his unofficial carer. Cassie didn’t make things any easier for herself by hooking up with Tracy’s ex-husband Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson). Although in fairness, Steve did only sleep with Cassie because Tracy had done the dirty on him with a footballer. But, hey. All’s fair in love and Corrie!

Ever since Cassie became official with Steve, her permanent presence in the Barlow family only intensified her heated rivalry with Tracy, who is fiercely protective of her father and family. Their vendetta has delighted fans with some truly brilliant lines, as the pair use their respective dark pasts against each other.

My personal favourite was when Tracy tore Cassie to shreds for her weak attempts to make up for her many past mistakes, only for Cassie to fire back by reminding her old enemy of the fire she set by mistake that killed Kal Nazi (Jim Mistri), quipping ‘I don’t suppose a box of wine for his mother would cut it”. Seriously, these two serve up some of the best verbal sparring on the Cobbles. Blanche Hunt would be proud.

Things between the two foes kicked off again last December, when Tracy was incensed to hear Cassie slagging her off over the cab radio. She took revenge by attempting to sabotage her work at Street Cars.

Imagine Tracy’s delight when some juicy tea about the woman she hates the most falls right into her lap.

Recently, Tracy and Cassie have been at loggerheads over Jim McDonald (Charles Lawson), Steve’s estranged father. When Steve found out that Jim was dying, he was devastated and conflicted over whether to make amends before it’s too late.

While Cassie encourages her man to bury the hatchet with Old McDonald, Tracy is quick to disagree, pointing out all the countless times Jim let his son down – most notably, convincing Steve’s mum Liz McDonald (Beverley Callard) that his latest girlfriend was actually his daughter Katie who died in childbirth, in a shameless cash-grab con.

Ultimately, Steve listened to Tracy and decided not to reconnect with Jim, opting instead to spend some quality time having a lads’ day with best mates Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine) and Ben Driscoll (Aaron McCusker).

Upcoming episodes will see Cassie take Ste’s decision to move on with his life as the perfect time to pop the question… with disastrous consequences when Steve gets some tragic news.

Cassie’s positively giddy as she conspires with Tim to lead Steve to Victoria Gardens for a romantic proposal. Unfortunately, just as an unsuspecting Steve arrives to see an excited Cassie, his phone rings. It’s the hospital. Jim is dead. Steve is distraught.

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Struck by the creeping realisation that proposing to your boyfriend when his dad’s just died probably won’t result in an ‘I Do’, Cassie decides to keep quiet and comforts her fella instead.

But later, while everyone toasts Jim’s memory in the Rovers, Tracy is suspicious to see that Cassie’s all dressed up. When she clocks her slipping something into Mary Taylor’s (Patti Clare) pocket, those suspicions are positively raging…

As Steve and Cassie chat to Ben about Jim’s funeral arrangements, Tracy realises that Steve is still blissfully unaware that Cassie intended to make an honest man out of him.

Will Tracy keep Cassie’s secret quiet? I mean, obviously she won’t. It’s Tracy. Better question – is Cassie about to pull Tracy’s hair out?

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Mal Roper (Tim Treloar) was rushed to hospital in tonight’s Coronation Street after being brutally attacked and left for dead.

The newcomer has already caused quite a stir on the cobbles, with his infatuation with Bernie Winter (Jane Hazlegrove) turning sinister earlier this week.

Mal arrived in Weatherfield on the hunt for Roy Cropper (David Neilson) to confront him about his letters to wife Alice.

After hearing Roy’s side of the story, Mal headed out to drown his sorrows and bumped into Bernie, with the pair soon embarking on a drug-fuelled night of partying.

Bernie was quick to regret the night in the cold light of the following day, but it had the opposite effect on Mal, who felt drawn to Bernie.

His obsession with her reached a worrying crescendo earlier this week when he held her hostage in the café as he professed his love.

When Bernie made it clear that she didn’t reciprocate his feelings, Mal turned nasty. Fortunately, Kit Green (Jacob Roberts) arrived before things went any further, but the whole experience left Bernie shaken.

Tonight, Kit was put on the case of investigating an attack on Mal, and he got a big shock when he arrived at the hospital and found out that he was in intensive care.

The doctor explained that Mal had hit his head on the pavement and suffered a cardiac arrest, and was now in critical condition. She also pointed out that bruising to his upper arms indicated an altercation.

Later, when Kit found out that new colleague DC Browning had made a breakthrough on the case, he was less than impressed at having to share the workload.

However, he would soon have much more to worry about when DC Browning arrested Bernie for the assault.

Things aren’t exactly looking good for Bernie, considering her last run-in with Mal in yesterday’s episode.

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Mal was determined to intimidate her by lurking across the street, before once again spewing vitriol about her and son Paul Foreman, who died of MND just over a year ago.

However, furious Bernie refused to show any fear, instead opting to threaten him, promising at top volume that she would kill him.

Having not exactly been subtle with her threat, could this be set to be her downfall? And was she really the person behind Mal’s attack?

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