In true Coronation Street fashion, the cobbles are once again ablaze with secrets, betrayals, and shocking twists that will leave fans reeling. Just when viewers thought the complicated

love triangle between Abi Webster, her husband Kevin Webster, and Kevin’s younger brother Carl Webster couldn’t get any messier, the latest ITVX episode has revealed a jaw-dropping new betrayal.

Carl, already embroiled in a forbidden affair with his brother’s wife, has now taken things a step further—cheating on Abi with an entirely unexpected partner. And no, it isn’t Tracy Barlow,

despite her best efforts. Instead, Carl has found himself drawn to none other than James Bailey, sparking a scandal that threatens to shatter lives, expose hidden truths, and ignite explosive fallout across Weatherfield.

Abi’s Double Life

It all began with Kevin’s holiday departure, a seemingly innocent escape meant to give the Webster family a breather. Abi assured her husband she would join him once her passport was sorted. But in reality, the delay was nothing but a cover—a carefully constructed lie to buy time with Carl, the man she has been secretly entangled with for months.

Abi’s affair with Carl has been a ticking time bomb ever since it began, not only because Carl is Kevin’s brother but also because of Abi’s own history of heartbreak, betrayal, and resilience. For a woman who has fought through addiction, trauma, and near loss, her willingness to risk it all for Carl underscores just how much emotional chaos is bubbling beneath the surface.

During their stolen moments together, Abi even confessed to Tracy Barlow that she was ready to leave Weatherfield entirely and move to Germany with Carl. Convinced she and Carl were destined to be together, Abi believed a fresh start could erase the wreckage of their betrayal.

But Tracy, ever the truth-teller with a sharp tongue, wasn’t buying it. With cutting precision, she dismissed Abi and Carl as “a train wreck waiting to happen,” brutally pointing out that theirs was not love but destruction disguised as passion.

A Sudden Departure

In the latest installment, Abi made a shocking decision—she walked away, leaving Carl behind. With Kevin still away and the truth threatening to surface, Abi’s departure was as much about self-preservation as it was about confusion. For a brief moment, fans may have believed Carl would be left to wallow in regret, longing for the woman who had just abandoned him.

But instead of remorse, Carl sought distraction. And it wasn’t long before temptation came knocking.

Carl and James: The Twist No One Saw Coming

Enter James Bailey. Once a respected footballer and a man who has faced his own struggles with identity and acceptance, James’s unexpected connection with Carl marks a bold new direction in Coronation Street’s storytelling.

The two were seen in a hotel room together, their chemistry undeniable. What began as a fleeting distraction quickly escalated into a full-blown fling, shocking viewers who had expected Carl’s attention to remain squarely on Abi—or even veer toward Tracy, who had been openly flirting with him.

Instead, Carl followed his instincts, throwing himself into a passionate encounter with James, proving once again that he is ruled by impulse and desire rather than loyalty or reason.

Actor Jonathan Howard, who plays Carl, explained the twist:

“Carl likes living life on the edge. He’s a hedonist and a free spirit. He’s attracted to people regardless of gender, and if he sees something he wants, he goes for it—without any real thought to the consequences.”

Howard also shed light on Carl’s motivations following Abi’s departure. “He’s frustrated that Abi has gone away with Kevin, and he needs something to distract himself. There’s a spark between him and James, so he goes for it. Tracy was offering herself, but Carl isn’t stupid—he knows that would be a dangerous move. James, on the other hand, is less complicated and much more fun.”

From Enemies to Lovers: Abi and Carl’s Complicated Beginning

For fans who have followed this rollercoaster from the start, Carl and Abi’s relationship has been anything but straightforward. Their very first encounter back in April was filled with tension and hostility. Meeting in Freshco’s car park, Carl made a thoughtless remark about Abi’s mood, prompting her to lash out. Abi, still raw from Kevin’s cancer battle and her own PTSD following Mason Radcliffe’s death, punched Carl square in the face, leaving him with a bloody nose.

The twist of fate came later that day when Abi was introduced to Carl formally at the Bistro, only to realize the cocky stranger was Kevin and Debbie’s brother. What began as animosity quickly morphed into attraction, though Abi resisted—aware of the devastating consequences of giving in.

But by July, everything changed. Abi discovered Kevin had lied about his health, concealing the truth about his recovery to keep her from leaving him. Feeling betrayed, Abi turned to Carl, her anger and heartbreak pushing her into his arms. The two shared their first passionate kiss, sealing their fate in an affair that has since spiraled out of control.

The Fallout Looms

Now, with Carl’s fling with James Bailey thrown into the mix, the stakes have skyrocketed. Abi’s already fragile future with Kevin is teetering on collapse, and should the truth come out about her affair with Carl—let alone Carl’s dalliance with James—the entire Webster family could implode.

Tracy, who already knows more than she should, is unlikely to keep quiet for long. And as fans know, Tracy’s loyalties rarely lie with anyone but herself.

As for James, his involvement with Carl is bound to stir up further drama. Known for his honesty and quiet strength, James may not be willing to remain a secret or a fling, which could force Carl into making choices that expose everything.

What This Means for Carl

Carl’s arc is fast becoming one of Coronation Street’s most unpredictable and compelling storylines. Once dismissed as Kevin’s charming but reckless brother, Carl has proven to be a catalyst for chaos. His hedonistic pursuit of pleasure, regardless of consequences, is leaving devastation in his wake—and fans can’t look away.

Will Carl’s reckless behavior finally catch up with him? Or will his charm and spontaneity allow him to wriggle out of trouble once again?

Final Thoughts

With Abi torn between loyalty and desire, Kevin still in the dark, Tracy scheming on the sidelines, and James suddenly thrust into the middle of the chaos, Coronation Street has laid the groundwork for one of its most explosive love scandals in recent memory.

Carl Webster has proven himself to be the ultimate wildcard—cheating on his brother, betraying Abi, and now embarking on a passionate fling with James Bailey. The ripple effects of his actions are only just beginning to unfold, and Weatherfield may never be the same again.