Paul Foreman is set to make a big mistake in Coronation Street as he comes across a blast from the past. As fans of the ITV soap know, the former builder has been coming to terms with being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.
Next week on the cobbles, the chilli eating competition, an idea from Paul's mum Bernie and sister Gemma in order to raise funds for equipment Paul will need as the life-limiting disease progresses, takes place in the bistro. As the crowd roar Dev, Chesney and Shona on, Gemma reminds everyone to give generously.
Bernie counts the money raised and hands Paul £800 which leaves him touched by their generosity. Back at the flat, Billy and Bernie argue over religion versus crystals as while Billy suggested Paul be baptised, Bernie has been keen to help her son with her alternative methods.
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But asserting that their constant interference isn’t helpful, Paul storms out. Having escaped to a hotel bar, Paul spots Zac, a blast from his past, and offers to buy him a drink.
Later, Paul wakes up in the hotel bedroom with a monumental hangover. Reaching for his jacket, he realises with horror that Zac has stolen the £800 charity money. Returning home, Billy’s relieved as Paul explains he had one too many and passed out on a mate’s sofa.
But when Billy suggests they use the charity money to buy a stairlift and offers to bank it for him, Paul snaps. Awash with guilt, Paul eventually confesses to Billy how he met Zac, an old flame, they got drunk and things got out of hand leaving Billy appalled. Can Billy and Paul put recent events behind them?
Elsewhere, Stephen cracks on with a new plan. With Carla demanding a meeting with Seagull Ltd, Stephen begs his ex Gabrielle to masquerade as a consultant from his fake company, promising to make it worth her while. Stephen watches as Carla attends the Zoom call with Seagull and as Gabrielle gives a sterling performance, it’s clear Carla’s taken in.
But when Sarah returns for her laptop, Stephen’s thrown into panic. Later, he tells Elaine that he’s booked her a wedding consultation with a personal shopper and Audrey’s going with her. As they return with their wedding outfits, the good mood is broken when Tim makes his dislike of Stephen clear and tells them not to bother sending him an invitation.
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On Stephen’s advice, Elaine writes Tim a letter telling him how much he’s hurt her and how she can’t take anymore. And soon, he uses it against her when Stephen tells Dr Gaddas he’s worried Elaine is depressed, she refuses to seek help and might do something drastic.
Stephen also plants the seed in Sally’s head. Sally tells Tim that Stephen’s worried Elaine might be suffering from depression brought on by all the recent conflict and urges him to change his attitude for his mum’s sake.
Meanwhile, Ryan confides in Carla that he knows it’s time he returned to work, but he dreads being in the public eye. However, when Daisy tries to make conversation, a bitter Ryan makes out he’s already back at the bistro and she can forget about him. Ryan calls at the bistro and nervously tells Leanne he’d like to return to work.
But when a customer complains about Ryan’s facial scars, Leanne leaps to his defence, claiming he’s a hero. However, having caught the end of her outburst, Ryan hurries out. Following the incident, Leanne agrees Ryan can work behind the scenes till he feels more confident and suggests he starts by sorting out a new wine contract.
Getting his confidence back, Ryan flirts with the supplier Rose on the phone in a bid to obtain a good deal. But when Rose reveals she’s checked out his socials and wonders if he’s still single, Ryan’s thrown, especially when Leanne thanks him for securing such a great deal and reveals Rose is going to call in.
