It’s official – Coronation Street leaves Roy Cropper fighting for his life next week when a fire threatens to destroy his flat. As Roy lies unconscious and trapped above the café, will anyone come to his rescue before it’s too late?

“This is horrifying news – Roy is such a beloved character, so the thought of him being in peril is just unthinkable,” explains our Corrie source. “Unfortunately, everyone’s favourite greasy-spoon owner is about to face a very real threat. The question is, was this mysterious blaze an accident, or is someone out to get him?”

The week doesn’t get off to the best of starts for Roy, as he complains of feeling a little off colour. He even returns home early from his planned bat-watch meeting, so it must be serious.

Roy’s day goes from bad to worse when he gets back to the café and is told the electricity has gone off. Deciding it’s not worth staying open, what with the double calamity of his illness and no ‘leccy, Roy sends employee Jodie Ramsey home and shuts up shop early.

Heading up to bed for an early night, Roy plans to sleep off his illness and start afresh the next day. But while Roy dozes off, he’s oblivious that something suspicious is afoot that will cause him terrible harm – and he is powerless to do anything about it…

Later on, Carla Connor runs into Dev and Bernie Winter-Alahan outside Roy’s Rolls and the trio do a double take – the eatery is shut well before closing time and a plume of smoke is billowing from the flat window. What’s going on?

“Carla and co are immediately concerned,” continues our spy. “However, everyone still thinks Roy is out with his bat watching pals, so they don’t believe he’s in any danger. It’s only Jodie who knows he’s actually at home, and she’s skipped off after her early dart.”

Nobody realises the true severity of the situation, and as smoke fills the upstairs flat at Roy’s Rolls, the man himself is breathing in the toxic fumes.

By now, Roy is out cold as the deadly smoke engulfs him. It’s a race against time to get to Roy before the blaze takes hold, but it’s not clear how this all started.

Of course it could be an accident, as there’s enough equipment in the café that could have caused the incident. Gentle soul Roy isn’t in the habit of making enemies, so it’s unlikely he’s been deliberately targeted – but it’s not out of the question…

“Could the fact that the electrics are on the blink provide a clue?” asks our source. “We all thought we’d seen the last of evil electrician Mal, but he turns up back on the cobbles next week. He had beef with Roy, who he blamed for ruining his marriage, so could malicious Mal be behind this?

“Or what about tormented Will, who’s got it in for Roy’s good friend Sam? Or has a blast from Roy’s past tracked him down for some vengeful reason?”

Whoever did this, we’re praying Roy survives…