STEVE McDonald and Tracy Barlow have had some tumultuous moments in recent months.
But according to Coronation Street viewers, things could be getting worse between them as the florist is set for another affair.
The pair respectively portrayed by soap legends Simon Gregson and Kate Ford have had a whirlwind romance for more than two decades.
For several years, the owner of Street Cars rejected the former villainess, despite them having to interact for the sake of their daughter Amy, the fruit of a one night stand which started it all.
Many twists and turns later, Steve finally gave Tracy her biggest wish as the pair tied the knot.
But life in Weatherfield wouldn’t be what ITV viewers have grown accustomed to without the lovebirds squabbling and stabbing each other in the back.
In recent months, it was revealed that actor Matt Milburn will be reprising the role of former football player Tommy Orpington, who happens to be one of Steve’s pals.
However, a promotional shot teasing what was ahead for residents of the cobbles has left fans of the Manchester-based drama wondering – could Tommy drive a wedge between Tracy and Steve?
To top it all off, Steve recently confided in his friend Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine) about the impact Amy Barlow’s difficult year has had on his marriage with Tracy.
Could Tommy be the one to end it all between them?
Many viewers have taken to a Digital Spy forum to share their thoughts and have amounted to the conclusion that Tracy and Tommy will soon be embarking on a new affair.
“Who do you think his new Lover will be?”, one fan questioned in an opening post as another immediately responded with : “It’ll be Tracy.”
Other soap fans jumped in in agreement: “I like her and Steve together, but no doubt they can’t have a marriage last long, so that’ll need to be ruined.”
“If it’s Tracy that’ll cause emotional conflict for Steve, what with his love for ‘Tommy O’ and all things Weathy County, he’ll be burning his shirt”, a third watcher echoed.
“It’s definitely gonna be Tracy. Not that it’ll make a blind bit of difference as Steve will just take her back anyway. Rinse and repeat”, another commented.
One fan added: “As soon as I opened this thread, I thought it could be Tracy after the spoiler pic yesterday and am glad that others seem to think the same otherwise Corrie surely wouldn’t release a spoiler pic like that if it was just Tracy ordinarily selling Tommy flowers on Xmas Day.”
Regular Corrie viewers will remember that Tommy made his debut in 2016 and his upcoming return will be his first appearance since 2021, which marked his retirement from his career as a footballer at Weatherfield County FC.
Soap boss Iain MacLeod teased the hunk’s return to the cobbles, adding that he will be involved in an explosive romance storyline as his wife has called time on their marriage (which he was, ironically, preparing during his first stint in Corrie).
Everything you need to know about Coronation Street
“A story evolves where this attractive, historically successful man arrives into one of our female character’s lives and upsets the apple cart in fairly spectacular fashion”, Iain teased.
“You’ll know quite quickly who I’m talking about, probably when you see the episode, but I’d rather not say too much now, just so that you can enjoy that surprise for yourselves when we get to Christmas.”
“This will be the first time we’ve done anything more significant with him and Matt is absolutely over the moon to be doing something a bit more. He’s thrilled with the storyline and thinks it’s a lot of fun.”
How will it play out?
Could Tracy’s affair with Tommy finally be the end of her relationship with Steve?
Coronation Street airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8pm on ITV.
