Is there any evil deed Carl Webster (Jonathan Howard) hasn’t committed on Coronation Street? Infidelity – check. Gaslighting – Check. Causing road accidents

that have killed or maimed people – double check. Arson? That’s a new one… It’s tough to find a villain as rotten as Carl, and since he lives on the same street

as a domestic abuser and a paedophile, that’s really saying something.

Carl Webster has another plot up his sleeve

Not content with having a torrid affair with his brother Kevin Webster’s (Michael Le Vell) wife Abi Webster (Sally Carmine-Duttine), the Worst Webster immediately did the dirty on her with James Bailey (Jason Callender). He’s been dying to get his greasy mitts on Debbie Webster’s (Sue Devaney) business bank accounts for the Chariot Hotel, so much so that he’s used her young-onset vascular dementia against her.

Not only is Carl responsible for the hit-and-run that put Tyrone Dobbs (Alan Halsall) in a wheelchair, but he went for a second helping of dangerous driving by causing the Corriedale crash that killed Billy Mayhew… before sliding Debbie into the driver’s seat to take the blame!

Unfortunately, Debbie is Carl’s only defender. Fans can’t really blame her for that, given the recent revelation that she isn’t actually his sister, but in fact, his secret mother.

This goes some way to explaining Carl’s motivations to be a toe-rag as mummy issues. After all, he was raised by the thoroughly nasty Elaine. Maybe that’s why he’s been comfortable thus far letting Debbie sacrifice her freedom to save his worthless hide.

With Debbie facing a future behind bars, Carl’s finally free to seize control of her business and use the Chariot Square Hotel like his own personal piggy bank. There’s only one thing standing in his way – Ryan Connor (Ryan Prescott).

Carl’s not exactly Ryan’s biggest fan. Not only is he a close confidante of Debbie, but she’s put him in charge of the hotel should the worst happen and she goes to prison. This made Ryan a threat to Carl, who doesn’t take kindly to being undermined. So he came up with a crafty scheme to get his new boss on side.

During a shift on reception at the hotel, Ryan found himself in the middle of an armed robbery where two armed men violently beat him and stole three thousand pounds from the safe. Carl came to his rescue, which was suspicious enough in itself. Sure enough, it was revealed that the no-good schemer was in cahoots with the robbers, and paid them to rob the hotel as part of a financial scam with the added bonus of winning Ryan’s trust.

This plan goes badly wrong in upcoming episodes, where Ryan finally tires of Carl throwing his weight around and makes an enemy of the Worst Webster.

When Ryan orders Carl to put up QR code stickers, Carl refuses. It’s a battle of wills between employer and employee, which is settled when Debbie’s husband Ronnie Bailey (Vinta Morgan) backs Ryan’s decision. However, Carl’s never been one to accept defeat gracefully and chucks the sticker in the bin.

When Ryan discovers that Carl’s binned the stickers, a blazing row ensues which results in Ryan giving him the sack. Does Carl take his dismissal with good grace and reflect on his actions?

Of course not. He forms a sinister plan to set the hotel on fire.

Now, one cannot help but notice that the week after the Carl sets his arson scheme into motion, Coronation Street is launching its new whodunnit murder mystery where one cobbles resident turns up dead. Are the two connected? Is it possible that Carl’s fiery plot pushes one Weatherfield resident too far?

Will Carl get away with his plan – or will it go up in flames?