Coronation Street looks like it might be planting the seeds for a reunion between Steve and Tracy McDonald this week, following the recent announcement that Claire Sweeney has quit the ITV soap after three years.

Steve and Tracy were married until he learned that she was having an affair with his former football hero and current handyman Tommy Orpington.

They moved away to Spain, but she was unhappy being so far away from her so moved back to Weatherfield, where she lives under Ken Barlow’s roof with her ex.

This week’s scenes have seen Steve’s current other half Cassie Plummer get all dressed up with the secret plan to propose, but the moment fell through after Steve received a phone call telling him that his dad Jim has passed away.

In Tuesday’s episode, Tracy revealed Cassie’s plan to Steve, who had been confused by Cassie’s behaviour.

It was only a short moment, but it was a rare moment of kindness from Tracy to her ex.

Could it just be Tracy accepting Steve’s relationship with Cassie, who she’s never seen eye-to-eye? Or is it a bit of sympathy while he is grieving, or a sign that she’s still got feelings for him?

The third theory could easily tie in to Cassie’s exit scenes, which have been confirmed to take place in the summer, as Sweeney has landed the role of Miss Hannigan in the UK and Ireland tour of the musical Annie.

“I’ve done brilliant things in my life and in my career, and I’m grateful and thankful. But when I got into Corrie at the age of 52, it was a lovely, lovely surprise and a real turning point for me,” the actor said previously.

“When I was younger, I wouldn’t think, ‘This is fabulous.’ It would be, ‘What’s next?’ But with Corrie, I’m so appreciating it and I’m staying in the moment.”