IS KILLER GARY DEAD?

He saves ex-girlfriend Sarah from being struck by a car, and gets hit himself

orget Gary going to the slammer for his deadly crimes – this week it looks like he is on a fast-track to Weatherfield heaven. Mere seconds after Sarah has sussed that her former lover saw off sinister loan shark Rick Neelan, the furniture seller is struck by an oncoming car.

Grizzly Gaz has spent a year covering his tracks after murdering Rick in self-defence. But last week, things started to go pear-shaped. First, Adam solved the mystery of Rick’s disappearance, and then Brian and Bernie decided to go digging for Roman coins in Beacon Woods, where Rick is buried.

FAs the action kicks off on Monday, Gary has some explaining to do, having turned into a raging madman in a desperate attempt to keep Bern and the B-pack away from Rick’s rotting corpse.

Calling into The Kabin, he apologises for his behaviour, and is horrified to learn that, during their trip, Bernie bagged herself a watch…

‘Gary is starting to spiral out of control,’ says Mikey North, who plays him. ‘Bernie has found Rick’s watch, and then he learns she has sold it to Sarah. Rick’s name is engraved on it, so his worst fears are confirmed. He knows he needs to get it back.’

Knowing that Sarah will smell a rat if he confronts her, Gary bungs Bernie a few quid and tasks her with doing the honours.

Bernie does her best, but when Sarah learns that Gemma’s mum is acting on Gary’s behalf, she refuses to part with the precious timepiece. Everything starts to make sense, and she squares up to Gary on the cobbles.

‘Sarah puts two and two together, and demands to know what happened,’ explains Mikey, ‘As she runs off and calls the police, Gary chases after her.

‘He sees a car coming, but Sarah doesn’t move, so he sacrifices himself by pushing her out of the way. Now that must be true love…’

Sarah pleads with an unconscious Gary to wake up and, as he’s given emergency treatment at Weathy General, she tells Adam and Maria how he saved her life.

But Adam is suspicious when Tyrone says that he saw Gary chasing Sarah, and her scarpering. Sarah insists Ty was mistaken, but Adam senses his wife is lying. Does her heart still lie with her dodgy ex?

ndrea’s living her best life right now. She and Jamie have reunited, and they and daughter Millie are living together at Home Farm. To top it off, wicked witch Kim is away on business. Result!

Jamie isn’t quite so perky, though. The wet vet is still smitten with Belle, and is only with his missus because she’s threatened to blab about him being behind Moira’s hit-andrun if he doesn’t toe the line.

All of which makes things extremely ‘awks’ this week when Andrea insists on having a romantic meal at The Woolpack. Surprise, surprise, Belle’s there. She’s tortured to see the man of her dreams sharing triplecooked chips with his wife, and scurries out in tears.

AMalone’s

 Moira

Nate  Charity

Kirin

But then Jamie has something of an epiphany, and it’s all thanks to Jai. The pair are in charge of conducting job interviews for the outdoor pursuit centre’s new restaurant, The Hide. Amy and Matty are vying for the assistant manager post, while Laurel is going for the manager job, meaning Jai is in the odd position of having to interview his girlfriend.

‘Jai puts on this stern exterior with all the applicants – including Laurel,’ says Alexander Lincoln, who plays Jamie.

‘Jamie sees this, and is interested as to how Jai can put this mask on, then remove it when he sees fit.

‘Jai helps him to realise that you can lie to people and make

Epiphany: Jai gives Jamie an idea  Nicola Priya

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Jamie

Sarah

Andrea’s them see your way of thinking, whether that’s through flattery or intimidation. It gives Jamie a new lease of life. ‘He feels a bit stronger, and knows that he can try to manipulate Andrea into thinking he wants to be with her.’

Back at Home Farm, it’s all ‘Belle who?’ as Jamie convinces Ands that she’s definitely the woman he wants. Andrea’s ecstatic, and the next morning, after a night of nooky, she looks like the cat that’s got the cream.

But as Jamie heads off to work, his mask slips and his cheesy smile suddenly changes to a look of sheer hate.

‘Right now, he doesn’t see a way out,’ adds Alexander, ‘but he is always looking to get back with Belle; she’s in the forefront of his mind.’

He’s playing the long game… Can he win?

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Won over: Andrea is fooled

by Jamie

RIGHTNOW, HE DOESN’T SEE A WAY OUT, BUT HE IS ALWAYS LOOKING TO GET BACK WITH

BELLE

Dan

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Kirin’s

Bob Charity

Luke

Sarah Priya

 Amy

Victoria

Leaving town: Elly and Shaun

After such a traumatic year, it’s no wonder Elly is considering leaving for Switzerland with baby daddy Shaun.

Desperate to put the bad memories of Finn behind her, she decides to take the plunge and she and baby girl Aster prepare for the big move. But Elly is worried how little sister Bea will cope without her.

When the time comes to leave for the airport, Bea can’t face the big goodbye – will Elly change her mind at the last minute? Or will Bea give her blessing for her sibling’s fresh start?

Also, Chloe discovers she’s pregnant, giving her and Pierce a decision to make, and Emmett causes chaos with a drone...

Final days:

Roo helps Evan

Evan’s condition worsens and it’s clear he hasn’t got long left. Ryder refuses to face the reality of his dad’s tragic situation, and when Evan says he’s leaving Summer Bay to get palliative care, the teen is heartbroken.

Finally opening up to Ryder about his fears for the future, Evan shares a moving moment with his son before departing with Roo by his side after she agrees to stay with him until the end. Ryder waves goodbye to the dad he’s only just found, knowing he will never see him again…

Meanwhile, Jasmine grows increasingly possessive of baby Grace, and Colby’s investigation of the Diner robbery puts the Parata men in the frame…