The affair between Abi and Carl was already a ticking time bomb.

Add James Bailey into the mix, and Coronation Street is about to deliver some of its most explosive drama yet.

The question now is not whether Carl’s secrets will come out, but when and who will be left standing when they do.

Abi has always been a character defined by resilience.

From her struggles with addiction to the devastating loss of her son Seb, she has clawed her way back to stability time and again. But Carl’s betrayal threatens to undo all the progress she has made. Having risked everything to be with him — including her marriage and her relationship with Kevin — Abi now faces the crushing possibility that she was never Carl’s only priority. Watching her discover his fling with James could lead to some of Sally Carman’s most powerful performances to date, as Abi fights to protect her family while dealing with heartbreak all over again.

Kevin’s role in the fallout is equally heartbreaking. After his battle with cancer and the lies he told Abi about his health, he has no idea that his brother and his wife have been betraying him. The revelation could destroy him — not just emotionally, but also in terms of his relationship with his family. For Kevin, learning the truth would mean losing both Abi and Carl in one devastating blow.

And then there’s Tracy Barlow. Known for her cunning and ruthlessness, Tracy thrives on chaos, and Carl has handed her a goldmine of secrets. With her already holding the affair with Abi over his head, the knowledge of his fling with James could make her unstoppable. Whether she chooses to expose Carl publicly or continue to manipulate him for her own gain, Tracy’s involvement ensures the drama will only escalate.

As for James, this storyline could shape his future in Weatherfield. For years, his arcs have been defined by struggle and growth, but entangling himself with Carl could set him back in painful ways. Will he emerge from this stronger, or will he become yet another casualty of Carl’s reckless nature?

The bigger picture is clear: Coronation Street is leaning into its classic strengths — messy relationships, betrayal, and high-stakes secrets. Carl Webster has quickly become the show’s agent of chaos, pulling Abi, Kevin, Debbie, James, and Tracy into his orbit. The fallout from his actions promises to ripple across Weatherfield for months to come.

As ITV continues to release early episodes on ITVX, fans are already buzzing online, debating what comes next. Memes, spoilers, and furious speculation have taken over Twitter and soap forums. But no matter which way the story unfolds, one thing is certain: Carl Webster’s reckless passions are about to change Coronation Street forever.