CORONATION Street is introducing a long-standing character who has never been seen on screen before.
The ITV soap will welcome Kevin and Debbie Webster’s younger half-brother Carl next year.
He is the son of Bill Webster and former wife Elaine and while he’s been mentioned over the years, has never actually been seen in Weatherfield.
But that’s all set to change now.
New producer Kate Brooks told The Sun: “We’ve got Carl Webster coming into the show, who is Debbie and Kevin’s brother, to build up that Webster clan.
“We’ve got big stories coming up for Debbie and Kevin. It’s about building that clan up.
“For me, the Websters, Barlows and Platts are the big clans.”
And Kevin will need all the family he can get around him as he will discover he’s got cancer in the new year.
“As we go into the new year, Kevin will discover that he’s got testicular cancer, which causes a massive strain on his relationship.
“Abi is a really strong character, but she’s going through her own turmoil at the same time.
“We want to tell this really truthfully. We’ve been working closely with Macmillan to make sure that we tell the story right.
“Ultimately, it’s about their relationship and testing that relationship.”
Working with Macmillan has meant Corrie is keen to raise awareness of the disease – and have Kevin speak frankly about what he’s going through.
“It was really important that we don’t show Kevin being embarrassed or being reticent to talk to his friends about it,” Kate added.
“He’s quite open about it, which I thought was quite refreshing.
“He talks to Tim and Steve about it, and they all have their own way of handling it, but ultimately it’s about his relationship with Abi, and that is going to be truly tested.
“As I alluded to, Abi is going through her own situation as she struggles with the aftermath of a big event that happens in January.
ITVX won't host early episodes for some days, but soap bosses have yet to confirm which dates won't have an early release
Monday December 23 – 8pm ITV1 & ITVX
Tuesday December 24 – 8:45pm ITV1 & ITVX
Christmas Day – 7pm ITV1 & ITVX
Boxing Day – No episode
Friday December 27 – 8pm ITV1 & ITVX
Monday December 30 – 8pm ITV1 & ITVX
Tuesday December 31 – 8:15pm ITV1 & ITVX
New Year’s Day – 7pm ITV1 & ITVX
“She loves Kevin and he loves her, but temptation comes Abi’s way…”
Will she fall for Kevin’s brother?
