Coronation Street fans have been left Spider Nugent is up to something on the cobbles after he returned to Weatherfield and into ex Toyah Habeeb’s life after the devastating loss of Imraan.
ITV soap fans saw their suspicions reach fever pitch after Spider was arrested during an environmental protest, only to be released with a slap on the wrist. Spider and Toyah then returned to her flat, where one thing led to another and the former flames shared a kiss – but Toyah slammed on the brakes before things could lead further.
Outside on the cobbles, Spider answered his phone for what proved to be a highly suspicious phone call, as he told the person on the other end of the call that he was up to his eyes with work, but couldn't wait to get back.
While that doesn't give much away, many have pointed to it as evidence of Spider’s secret family life, particularly after the way he was so quick to say no when Beth asked if he had any kids.
Spider could have been talking to a secret wife or child on the phone and hiding the facts as Toyah would likely send him packing if she learned he was a married family man.
Actor Martin Hancock previously said of his comeback: “There is more to it. And that is all I’ll say at this stage.
“It’s going to be a corker, and I was surprised when I found out what is coming up. I thought I was just coming back to open a mung bean shop!”
So what could Spider be hiding? Coronation Street fans have floated a number of possible theories…
Secret family
Soap fans have a few theories about what Spider is up to – and speculated the next big storyline is that Toyah will get pregnant following years of heartbreak over not being able to conceive.
“Calling it now, Spider is married and Toyah will be preggers by him,” one fan tweeted.
“Spider will have a hippy wife and a few kids who will all turn up as soon as Toyah says she’s preggers with his sprog #catfight #corrie,” said another.
“So Spider is not so single #Corrie,” a third wrote.
Elsie’s father
Toyah was left heartbroken when Elsie was removed from her care by social services, following the revelation of Imraan’s affair – but Corrie fans now think the pair could be reunited.
ITV viewers have speculated the possibility that Spider is Else’s biological father, particularly given that little is known about the child’s background on the soap, as her father has never been mentioned.
One fan posted on Facebook : “How crazy would it be if it turns out Elsie is [Spider's] daughter lol, he gets back with Toyah and she fights for Elsie back.”
Another fan suggested on Twitter : “Since they announced Spider is coming back to Corrie I’m convinced he’s Elsie’s dad and that’s how Toyah gets her back!”
A third penned: “Just been watching classic Corrie he’s in hope he comes back and Toyah and him rekindle what they had even happily ever after and possibly a baby!”
Daisy kidnap plot
In a major twist, some viewers are sure that Spider has some relation to barmaid Daisy and could even be involved in a kidnap plot on the soap. Many believe he could be Daisy’s biological father, as the ex of Jenny Connor, whose identity has never been confirmed.
Spider and Jenny have yet to share any scenes since his return, leaving the theory open to possibility. Worst still, fans have suggested that Daisy could be involved in a brutal hostage scheme by a deranged Toyah and Spider.
Taking to Facebook, one fan hypothesised: “Spider is Daisy’s biological father and Jenny is really her birth mum and Toyah is going to kidnap Daisy... maybe this could be a soap storyline!”
Another agreed: “The way soaps are going at the minute nothing would surprise me!”
Violet’s husband
One soap theory is that Violet Wilson – the mother of Sean Tully’s son Dylan – could be on the other end of Spider’s mysterious call.
Violet was mentioned last week during Sean’s date with Laurence, as he admitted the pair were just friends when they conceived their son.
It has been reported Violet could be returning to Corrie in the upcoming weeks and it’s been hinted she is actually Spider’s secret wife, as the pair could have tied the knot while living in London.