A former Coronation Street cast member has criticised an upcoming storyline on the soap. It comes following the news that a long-running character on the show is set to embark on an affair with a relative of their partner.
It has previously been announced that Abi Franklin (played by Sally Carman) will sleep with her brother-in-law Carl Webster (Jonathan Howard), who recently arrived in Weatherfield, in scenes yet to air on the ITV show. Carl is the brother of Abi’s husband Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell).
The storyline has prompted criticism this week from former cast member Louis Emerick, 64. The actor – known for his roles on shows like Brookside and Last of the Summer Wine – played Mike Thornberry on Corrie back in 2018.
Louis wrote in a post on X on Monday: “#Soaps: Kev/Abbie and The brother! How many times dya reckon we’ve had that #eternaltriangle, a couple, a sibling shows up..affair starts..come on producers Please give That story a rest! In all my circle of friends thru all the yrs,I’ve Never known That situ happen!”
The storyline comes following newly-introduced character Carl’s arrival into Weatherfield last week. Abi met Carl after reversing into his car and was she was startled to later discovery that he’s the brother of her husband Kevin. It’s been teased that the affair could have “devastating” consequences.
Cast member Sally, 43, has expressed excitement over the storyline, which comes amid character Kevin undergoing chemotherapy. The actor has said: “I love it because [Abi] just implodes all the time and the consequences are devastating. But yeah, it’s really exciting to play.”
Speaking to OK! magazine, she said that Abi is “teetering on the edge” and “barely holding on” around Carl, who ends up moving in with his brother and sister-in-law. Sally teased: “He’s woken up her wild side, her passionate side and her sexual side. That was never really what her relationship with Kevin was about.”
Sally added that Abi’s relationship with Kevin is “more loving than being in love” and that he was a “massive part” of her having stability amid getting sober. Speaking about the relationship with Carl, the cast member said that whilst it’s “early days” it will be “interesting” to see how far Abi will “go with it”.
In an interview with Metro, Sally said that there was “instant electricity” and a “spark” between Abi and Carl. She teased to the outlet that it was “gutting” for Abi to find out he was her brother-in-law as he had “awakened something in her”.
New soap star Jonathan’s casting in the role as Carl was announced by ITV last month. It was revealed that the character comes to Weatherfield to be with Kevin after his cancer diagnosis and Jonathan teased that there could be “some resentment” from Carl towards his older brother.
He teased: “I don’t think Carl is going to be too bad but I don’t think he’s going to be good either, I think his heart is in the right place but he might be holding on to some resentment towards his brother because he’s left him to be on his own his whole life.” Teasing over potential romances, he added: “He’s maybe a little bit selfish, especially between his trousers sometimes!”
Coronation Street continues tonight from 8pm on ITV, ITV, STV and STV Player.
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