Abi Catches Carl & James’ Secret Kissing | Coronation Street

Christmas is traditionally billed as the season of peace, forgiveness and togetherness — but on Coronation Street, goodwill is once again replaced with suspicion,

betrayal and secrets that threaten to explode. As Weatherfield braces itself for the festive period, a series of dark, emotionally charged storylines are weaving together,

promising one of the most unsettling Christmas stretches the cobbles have seen in years. From shocking revelations to deeply troubling relationships and explosive family conflicts,

nothing — and no one — is safe.

At the heart of the drama is a secret that could tear the Webster household apart. Carl Webster has already crossed a dangerous line, embarking on a clandestine affair with James Bailey behind Abi’s back. What began as stolen moments and whispered promises has now become a ticking time bomb, especially as Abi starts to sense that something is deeply wrong. Boxing Day proves pivotal, as Abi’s suspicions grow stronger and the walls around Carl and James’ deception begin to close in.

Carl’s guilt does little to curb his reckless behaviour. Instead of distancing himself, he leans further into the affair, convincing himself he can manage both worlds without consequence. Abi, however, is no fool. Her normally sharp instincts are on high alert, and her frosty demeanour makes it clear she feels excluded and unsettled. Carl’s decision to leave for work to avoid confrontation only widens the emotional gap between them — and creates the perfect opportunity for Weatherfield’s most notorious pot-stirrer to get involved.

Enter Tracy Barlow. Ever alert to scandal, Tracy’s curiosity is piqued when James appears at the Webster home. While she pretends to keep her distance, her attention locks onto a seemingly innocuous detail — a necklace James is wearing. Something about it rings alarm bells. Tracy may not have proof yet, but she has an uncanny ability to connect dots others overlook. If she uncovers the truth about Carl and James, the fallout won’t just be personal — it will be explosive, ripping through families and friendships alike.

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the street, the festive season offers no refuge from cruelty or control. Todd Grimshaw finds himself suffocating under Theo Silverton’s increasingly domineering behaviour. What should be a joyful build-up to Christmas becomes a masterclass in emotional manipulation. Theo criticises Todd’s wrapping, belittles his efforts, and casually announces that multiple guests are coming for Christmas dinner — before declaring Todd solely responsible for cooking the entire meal. The pressure mounts visibly, and viewers are left questioning how long Todd can endure such treatment before he breaks.

Over at the Rovers Return, the Driscoll family’s first Christmas at the pub descends into chaos almost immediately. Eva Price is furious when she learns Maggie has invited her ex-partner and his new girlfriend to the celebrations. Old wounds are ripped open, insults fly, and resentment simmers dangerously close to the surface. The arrival of Megan Walsh only adds fuel to the fire. While Will Driscoll is visibly delighted to see her, the rest of the family senses tension — even if they don’t yet understand why.

Ben Driscoll desperately tries to hold the family together, focusing on calming Eva before the situation spirals completely out of control. But Megan’s presence is unsettling, and viewers are already aware of the threat she poses. Predatory and calculating, Megan is quietly positioning herself at the centre of the Driscoll household, her true intentions hidden behind charm and false concern.

One of the most emotionally charged moments of the festive period comes with the departure of Dee Bailey. Her exit marks the end of an era, as she leaves Weatherfield to start a new life overseas. The decision hasn’t come easily — it means leaving behind Joel Driscoll and stepping away from plans to co-parent alongside her brother James. James reacts with anger and hurt, accusing Dee of putting her own ambitions ahead of family. Their confrontation is raw and painful, exposing years of unresolved tension.

Thankfully, Billy Mayhew offers Dee much-needed reassurance, reminding her of the strength she’s shown in the past and honouring her bond with the late Paul Foreman. The siblings eventually find common ground, with James encouraging Dee to seize her moment — even if it means leaving him behind. Their final goodbye is understated yet devastating, culminating in a last-minute appearance from James that brings the farewell full circle. Dee’s final words to her daughter, promising they will face the future together, leave viewers reaching for the tissues.

But perhaps the most disturbing storyline unfolding this Christmas involves Megan Walsh and teenage Will Driscoll. Viewers have been left horrified as the truth behind their relationship comes into focus. Megan, an athletics coach, has been grooming Will for months, manipulating his vulnerability and isolating him from those who care about him. On his 16th birthday, Will meets Megan and declares himself “legal” before handing her a hotel key — a chilling moment that underscores the severity of the situation.

The tension peaks when Ben and Ronnie Bailey track Will to the hotel, pounding on the door just moments before Megan can be exposed. Hiding in the bathroom, she narrowly avoids discovery as Will lies to protect her, claiming he was meeting an old girlfriend. For now, the family believes him, allowing Megan to slip back into their lives and even join them for drinks later that evening. Her ability to manipulate those around her is terrifying — and far from over.

To maintain her access to Will, Megan even uses Daniel Osborne as cover, securing a job at the school to stay close. The actress portraying Megan has described the character as “the devil in disguise,” warning viewers that her ruthlessness and self-preservation instincts will drive the story to even darker places. The show has worked closely with Barnardo’s on this storyline, ensuring it raises awareness about grooming and the subtle warning signs that often go unnoticed.

As Christmas approaches, the sense of unease across Weatherfield is impossible to ignore. Secrets are poised to surface, relationships are fraying, and lives are hanging in the balance. Abi’s potential discovery of Carl and James’ betrayal could be the spark that ignites total devastation — not just for the Websters, but for everyone caught in the fallout.

This festive season, Coronation Street delivers a Christmas unlike any other: unsettling, emotional, and unflinchingly dark. With explosive revelations looming and danger lurking behind closed doors, the cobbles are set for a holiday viewers won’t soon forget — for all the wrong reasons.