CORONATION STREET

LIVER CLEANSING ALERT!

The return of Carla (pictured, as an ice queen) to the cobbles is welcome. Will she be the factory’s saviour, or will she be the kiss of death for Peter and Toyah? Let’s pray for the latter. The Rovers has never been in such dire shape; does Toyah know how to pull a pint, much less operate a till? She continues to look bemused, even when being told the worst news; when a customer walks up to the bar, she looks mystified as to why they might be doing such a strange thing. Carla sipping an orange juice is a bigger talking point than the Virgin Birth, as tongues wag with this bizarre turn of events. Carla is keen to catch up on the gossip and is especially intrigued to hear about Kate and Rana’s affair. In a touching act of Christmas spirit, she also rents the kebab shop flat for Aidan. Is that wise? He’s already bursting out of his shirts.

Anna is determined to find evidence that Phelan is framing her, and Billy gets into hot water with a lucky charm (not so lucky, as it turns out). Leanne is in a mess too when she hits it off with Toyah’s new handsome B&B guest and discovers she’s been robbed after an afternoon’s heavy drinking. As an exhooker and arsonist, isn’t it an upward step for her? One question: who’s looking after Oliver (who hasn’t been fed since 2016, by the way). And there’s a happy night for Steve and Tracy. Any port in a Christmas storm, I suppose.