The folk of Coronation Street may attempt to keep their affairs behind closed doors, but it doesn’t take long for a long-buried secret or two to claw its way to the surface.
Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon) has made an almighty blunder by sleeping with mum Sarah’s (Tina O'Brien) ex-boyfriend Kit Green (Jacob Roberts) while she was on remand for murder, and, in true soap style, she fell pregnant.
Amid his stage three breast cancer battle, a check-up at the hospital brings an earth-shattering sight - Bethany strolling out of the maternity wing. Will she right her wrongs, or will the presence of boyfriend Ryan Connor (Ryan Prescott) force her to tell yet another lie to the copper about their child’s paternity?
Elsewhere, a special episode focuses on Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) and her "angels"; Sally Metcalfe (Sally Dynevor), Bernie Winter-Alahan (Jane Hazlegrove), Glenda Shuttleworth (Jodie Prenger), Abi Webster (Sally Carman-Duttine) and Christina Boyd (Amy Robbins).
Plus, Carla Connor-Swain (Alison King) is devastated to realise she'll have to close the factory and Mary Taylor (Patti Clare) faces a major setback.
Here's everything happening in the episodes of Coronation Street airing between Monday 9 and Wednesday 11 November.
7 Coronation Street spoilers for next week
1. A special episode focuses on Debbie Webster and her angels
Debbie is determined to make son Carl Webster's (Jonathan Howard) 40th birthday one to remember and enlists the help of Abi, Bernie, Christina, Sally and Glenda to pull off a special surprise.
Gathering the women together, Debbie tips a plastic crate full of photographs onto the carpet, revealing hundreds of treasured snaps taken over the years. Explaining that she wants to put together a photo book for Carl, she asks the group to help her create the perfect birthday gift.
However, what begins as a nostalgic trip down memory lane soon takes an uncomfortable turn as old wounds and unresolved tensions come bubbling to the surface. As the women revisit their complicated family histories, difficult memories and past traumas threaten to derail the evening.
While some find comfort in opening up about their personal struggles, others are forced to confront decisions that could change their lives forever.
Despite the heated exchanges, the group eventually manages to clear the air and put their differences aside. By the end of the evening, Debbie's angels are united once more, although several of the women are left privately contemplating some major decisions.
Later in the week, Debbie has another bombshell to deliver when she reveals to husband Ronnie Bailey (Vinta Morgan) that she's ready to retire. Having made up her mind, she announces that she's signed the hotel over to him.
But that's not all. Debbie also tells Ronnie that she'd like Ryan Connor (Ryan Prescott) to become his right-hand man, potentially setting the pair up for an exciting new chapter.
2. Sarah Platt begs Kit Green for a second chance
Kit finds himself struggling with a growing sense of isolation while undergoing chemotherapy, and the emotional toll of his situation becomes increasingly difficult to hide.
Sarah opens up to Bernie about Kit's behaviour, admitting that he's been keeping his distance and seemingly avoiding her. Bernie suggests that he is simply pushing everyone away as he struggles to cope.
But Sarah's concerns deepen when she spots Kit collapsing outside the tram stop. Horrified by what she's witnessing, she rushes over to help him.
Later, back at the Redbank Apartments , Kit finally lets his guard down and breaks down in front of Sarah. Taken aback by the sight of him so vulnerable, she pulls him into a comforting hug. Having seen just how much he is struggling, she makes a heartfelt suggestion that she wants him to move back in permanently, believing they can finally become one happy family again.
Could this be the fresh start Kit desperately needs?
3. Christina Boyd tries to win Richie Parkinson's trust
Christina is determined to gain Richie Parkinson's (Nathan Sussex) trust and heads to Highfield Prison to visit him. However, rather than simply offering her support, she decides to take a more calculated approach.
In an attempt to make a connection, Christina invents a story about having a brother who went through a similar ordeal to him. Her apparent understanding seems to strike a chord, with Richie grateful for what he believes is her genuine empathy.
But her actions haven't gone unnoticed. George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley) is increasingly concerned that she's becoming too involved and fears she's getting herself into something she may struggle to control.
Elsewhere, Sally receives some unexpected news when Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine) reveals that he's taken a call from social services. Having been cleared of any wrongdoing, she is informed that Lucy Parkinson (Anya Dewin) will be returning to live with them next week.
The news leaves Sally stunned, and although the situation might seem like a cause for celebration, she's far from convinced everything will be straightforward. Later, while at the café, Sally confides in Christina about her worries surrounding Lucy's return.
4. Carla Connor-Swain has to sell Underworld
Carla is beginning to fear the worst for the factory after showing the loss adjuster around the premises. Having seen the damage assessment process for herself, she admits to Lisa that she doubts they'll receive the insurance payout they're hoping for.
Meanwhile, Brody Michaelis (Ryan Mulvey) watches with disgust as Idris Nazir (Junade Khan) approaches and puts on an act of sympathy, seemingly oblivious to the damage he's caused.
The situation takes another turn when Sally and Sean Tully (Antony Cotton) receive an email from Carla revealing that she's decided to sell the factory. Both are devastated by the news, and Brody soon finds Sally in tears when he calls into the pub.
Furious at what Idris has done, Brody confronts him and issues a stark warning: unless he comes clean, Brody will tell Carla the truth himself.
Over at the café, Carla attempts to explain the decision to Sean, insisting that nobody is more devastated about the factory's future than she is. She makes it clear that making staff redundant is the last thing she wants, but believes she has no other option.
Idris, meanwhile, continues his performance of sympathy.
Later, in the Rovers, he corners Brody and attempts to win him over with a tempting promise. He assures the teenager that once he gets his hands on the factory, the workers will all be offered their jobs back - with even better pay.
5. Bethany Platt's pregnancy is revealed to Kit Green
Bethany and Ryan enjoy dinner at Speed Daal, where he attempts to reassure her about the situation with her baby's father. He makes it clear that if she changes her mind and decides she wants to involve him, he won't stand in her way.
Bethany masks her unease, but it's clear the conversation has left her with plenty to think about. When Sarah fails to show up, Ryan steps in and offers to accompany her to her scan instead.
Sarah remains concerned about Kit following his collapse and insists that he gets checked over at the hospital. However, as he leaves the maternity department, he spots Bethany and Ryan heading out.
In a moment of shock, Kit realises that Bethany is pregnant!
6. Mary Taylor loses her job at Preston's Petals
Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) has some exciting news for daughter Amy (Elle Mulvaney) when she offers her the opportunity to take charge of the flower shop's website. Delighted by the prospect, Amy is more than happy to accept.
But Tracy's enthusiasm is hiding a rather uncomfortable reality. With Amy taking on the new role, staffing costs will need to be reduces and Mary will have to go.
Once Mary works out that Amy's appointment means she's being pushed out, she decides to take matters into her own hands. Rather than wait for Tracy to break the news, Mary announces that she's already secured another job elsewhere in town.
In an emotional farewell, Mary embraces her boss and thanks her for everything she's done before heading out, struggling to hold back her tears. Tracy is left feeling terrible as the reality of the departure sinks in.
Has she made a decision she'll come to regret?
7. A new Jodie Ramsey mystery begins
There's further cause for concern at No.8 when Jodie Ramsey's (Olivia Frances Brown) phone begins ringing on the sideboard. Shona Platt (Julia Goulding) answers the call, but whatever she hears immediately causes her expression to change.
Left shaken by the conversation, Shona turns to David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd) and discusses the threatening phone call. As the pair try to make sense of what's happened, they begin questioning whether the call was really as straightforward as it seemed.
Could Jodie herself have orchestrated the threat, and if so, what exactly is she trying to achieve?
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Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV1 or can be streamed from 7am on ITVX.
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