Coronation Street has announced some big new plans for the Webster family in 2025.
The ITV soap will launch a new issue-based storyline in the New Year as long-standing character Kevin is diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Show bosses will also introduce Kevin and Debbie’s younger half-brother Carl Webster for the first time.
New producer Kate Brooks shared these plans with and other media at a recent Corrie press event.
Brooks explained: “The Websters are brilliant. Kevin and Sally are at the heart of it – then you’ve got Tim and you’ve got Abi. They’re a great character group.
“As we go into the New Year, Kevin will discover that he’s got testicular cancer, which causes a massive strain on his relationship. Abi is a really strong character, but she’s going through her own turmoil at the same time.
“We want to tell this really truthfully. We’ve been working closely with Macmillan to make sure that we tell the story right. Ultimately, it’s about Kevin and Abi’s relationship and testing that relationship.”
She continued: “It was really important that we don’t show Kevin being embarrassed or being reticent to talk to his friends about it. He’s quite open about it, which I thought was quite refreshing.
“Kevin talks to Tim and Steve about it and they all have their own way of handling it. But ultimately it’s about his relationship with Abi, and that is going to be truly tested.
“Abi is going through her own situation as she struggles with the aftermath of a big event that happens in January. She loves Kevin and he loves her, but temptation comes Abi’s way.”
With Corrie planning to focus more on the Websters next year, Kevin and Debbie’s sibling Carl will be brought into the show to expand the family.
Carl, who’d now be in his late 30s, is the son of Bill Webster and his second wife Elaine. The character grew up in Germany and has never featured on screen until now.
Brooks added: “We’ve got Carl Webster coming into the show, who is Debbie and Kevin’s brother, to build up that Webster clan.
“We’ve got big stories coming up for Debbie and Kevin. It’s about building that clan up. For me, the Websters, Barlows and Platts are the big clans.”
