Friday 29th August’s episode brings a bombshell that is set to rock Weatherfield.

With Abi away on holiday with Kevin and the family, Carl Webster is left restless and unsatisfied.

Known for his reckless charm and hedonistic streak, Carl is never content to sit quietly and wait.

This week, that impatience pushes him into the arms of an unlikely new lover — James Bailey.

The surprising twist begins when Carl crosses paths with James at the Chariot Square Hotel. James, who has only recently returned to Weatherfield after stepping back from his football career and personal struggles, offers Carl something Abi never could: the thrill of spontaneity with no strings attached. Carl, feeling abandoned by Abi’s absence, dives headfirst into temptation. Before long, the two men share an afternoon together in James’s hotel room, igniting a secret that could unravel everything.

Jonathan Howard, who plays Carl, shed light on the risky decision. “Carl likes living life on the edge,” Howard explained. “He’s a hedonist, a free spirit. He doesn’t think about labels or consequences. If he feels a spark, he goes for it.” The actor added that Carl’s frustration with Abi leaving him behind played a huge part in his impulsive decision. “He felt abandoned, so he looked for a distraction. James came along at the right time, and there was undeniable chemistry. Carl just followed his instincts.”

Howard also teased that other options were on the table, namely Tracy Barlow. “Tracy was offering herself to him, but Carl isn’t stupid. He knows Tracy would be a dangerous move. James, on the other hand, is fun, uncomplicated, and less risky — at least in Carl’s eyes.”

But while Carl may view the fling with James as harmless fun, the reality is far from simple. Tracy is already blackmailing him over Abi. If she learns about James too, Carl could find himself caught in a scandal with no escape. Meanwhile, Abi’s trust in him — fragile as it already is — could be obliterated the moment she discovers his betrayal.

James’s role in all of this shouldn’t be overlooked either. Fans remember his long journey of self-acceptance as one of Corrie’s most powerful arcs. His decision to connect with Carl may seem spontaneous, but it could have long-term consequences. Has James walked into a fling that will hurt him more than it heals him? Or could this be the start of something deeper that challenges both men to rethink what they really want?

For now, one thing is certain: Carl’s tryst with James raises the stakes on the cobbles, threatening to explode into one of the most scandalous reveals Coronation Street has staged in years.