Coronation Street reveals surprising new lover for Carl Webster amid Abi affair story in early ITVX release
Carl strikes up a second affair in Friday 29th August 2025's episode, out on ITVX and ITV1. **CONTAINS SPOILERS**
There’s heartbreak on the horizon for Abi Webster (Sally Carman) in tonight's episode of Coronation Street as her secret lover Carl Webster’s (Jonathan Howard) head is turned by another resident.
Carl appeared for the first time on the ITV soap earlier this year, when he reunited with half-siblings Debbie (Sue Devaney) and Kevin (Michel Le Vell). But he soon struck up an affair with his sister-in-law Abi.
In Friday’s episode, with Abi having jetted off to join Kevin and the family on holiday, Carl’s love life gets even messier as he enjoys a passionate afternoon with James Bailey (Jason Callender) in his hotel room.
As viewers will know, Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) is already blackmailing Carl over his affair with Abi, so will he risk losing everything with this latest move?
Carl actor Howard said of the latest twist: “Carl likes living life on the edge, he is a hedonist and a free spirit, he is attracted to a person regardless of their gender and if he sees something he wants he goes for it with no real thought to the consequences of his actions.
He added: “He is frustrated that Abi has gone away with Kevin and he needs something to distract himself. There is a spark between him and James so he goes for it.
"Tracy was also offering herself to him but he isn’t stupid and he knows that would be a dangerous move. James on the other hand is less complicated and more fun.”
Abi and Carl first met in Freshco’s car park back in April, with Carl making a snide remark about her being in a bad mood.
But Abi was quick to put him in his place, explaining how Kevin was undergoing treatment for cancer and how she was struggling following the death of Mason Radcliffe before punching him in the face.
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Later that day, Abi was introduced to Kevin and Debbie’s little brother Carl and realised in horror that it was the same guy from Freshco’s car park.
While Carl soon made it clear that he was attracted to Abi, Abi was initially reluctant to hurt Kevin.
However, when she discovered that Kevin had been lying to her about his health after receiving the all-clear back in July, she gave into temptation and eventually slept with Carl.
Read more:
- Coronation Street and Emmerdale to be hit by schedule shake-up from ITV this month
- Coronation Street airs shock Gary Windass cliffhanger in ITVX release
- Coronation Street kicks off heartwarming proposal story for Swarla in ITVX release
- 7 Coronation Street spoilers: Tracy catches out cheating Abi and Carl and Debbie collapses
- Coronation Street favourite 'set to return as new Rovers Return landlady'
- Coronation Street icon confirmed to be leaving soap 39 years after debut
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Authors
Molly Moss is a Trends Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest trends across TV, film and more. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism and has previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Sun Online.
