Jonathan Howard has revealed that he’s sticking around Coronation Street, after a dramatic year playing villainous Carl Webster.
The character’s opening scenes saw him flirt with ‘sister-in-law’ Abi Webster (Sally Carman-Duttine), and before long, the two engaged in a steamy affair. Little did she realise, she was being double crossed as he was also sleeping with James Bailey (Jason Callender).
Carl then framed ‘sister’ Debbie (Sue Devaney) for causing death by dangerous driving, and oddly, she decided to let him get away with it. However, it soon transpired that this was because she was harbouring a long-buried secret.
For almost 40 years, she’d allowed him to believe they were siblings, though she is actually his mother.
Debbie grew tired of his disgusting behaviour handed him an envelope of money, hoping he’d leave Weatherfield forever. However, before he could make his escape, uncle Kevin (Michael Le Vell) stole the cash back.
In revenge, Carl headed to the garage to cut the brakes on Kevin’s car. Tyrone Dobbs (Alan Halsall) spotted him and started to record on his phone, though drunkenly stumbled beside the jack lift and sent the motor crashing down onto him.
Ronnie Bailey (Vinta Morgan) then stepped in to whisk Carl’s lifeless body to hospital.
This situation unfolded in this week’s episodes, which included a dramatic showdown with a gun. Carl had been told to deliver it to one of dodgy Fiona Morley’s (Sara Poyzer) acquaintances, though it has since been stolen by Jodie Ramsey (Olivia Frances Brown).
Debbie, who is living with young-onset dementia, has now instructed her son to find the weapon before Fiona seeks revenge on their family.
But could this spell an exit for the character?
“Originally, when I joined, it was like ‘okay, I’ll do 12 months’,” Howard told The Mirror.
“I think we’d be missing out on something for Carl to leave before he’s come to terms with his mum’s dementia diagnosis.
“I would at least like to stay until we see what happens to Debbie, then we’ll see what happens after that.”
In December, legendary writer Jonathan Harvey seemed to imply that Debbie’s dementia story will continue over “the next few years”, meaning that both Howard and co-star Sue Devaney could be on our screens throughout 2027.
Read more:
- 7 Coronation Street spoilers for next week: Gary Windass and Sarah Barlow secrets finally revealed as Theo killer exposed
- Coronation Street airs major Tyrone Dobbs and Carl Webster development in early ITVX release
- Coronation Street spring 2026 preview: 12 spoilers for the months ahead from Theo’s death aftermath to 2 new characters
Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV1 or can be streamed from 7am on ITVX.
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