Coronation Street boss Iain MacLeod has revealed what's next for villain Damon Hay, after his vile actions on Wednesday night saw him threaten his own son Jacob Hay.
He's only been in Weatherfield for a matter of weeks and he's already causing carnage, from having his secret brother Harvey Gaskell beaten up in prison, to blackmailing Nick Tilsley over money he borrowed.
But as his latest drug scheme is exposed on Friday, Damon turns nasty again and attacks Jacob before telling him to leave the Street.
Things are about to take a huge turn though, as Damon sets his sights on a new target - leading to big scenes later in 2023.
There's an unexpected and show-changing romance story on the way this year, as Damon "turns heads" amid his "dangerous" actions on the street.
He will woo a major female character on the ITV soap in a twist that is set to have "very far-reaching consequences", with explosive scenes on the way.
On Damon's new plot, Iain teased: "He's a dangerous character. At first he might be seen as a more sophisticated operator than Harvey.
"What we discover in the not too distant future is that this polished veneer is masking something every bit as dangerous and as brutal as Harvey is.
"He upends a lot of people's lives and brings criminality to the door of a family that could probably do with moving on from their past, but suddenly, wham, they are right back in the mess again.
"There's loads of stuff to play with as he reconnects with other family members and their lives as well.
"As the year goes on, he's got this magnetic attraction for a notable high-profile female character on the show, who is going to have her head turned in a way that has very far-reaching consequences.
"I'm currently working on storylines for June and there's a build-up and then a colossal explosion in that story involving Damon and this love story that will be on air in June."
Iain went on: "I'd love to think that at some point with that character, we can revisit Harvey… I would love to think that at some point we can get Harvey out on the street and get him in a room with Damon, who by the time Harvey would be able to get out him and Damon would be absolute blood enemies.
"The idea to have Harvey vs Damon at some point in the future is tantalising."
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITV X.
