As Christmas approaches on Coronation Street, there are joyous celebrations, but while some families manage to get by, some loved ones suffer during this time of kindness.
The relationship between Carla Connor (Alison King) and Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) has been strained for some years, and the breaks are now irreversible.
Nevertheless, their love is just as strong as ever, therefore their decision to part ways is made in poignant moments.
Before Carla has a chance to think about her future, she receives an unexpected house visitor just as Peter is about to leave for his new life.
Elsewhere, Gemma Winter-Brown (Dolly-Rose Campbell) struggles after nearly losing the children, and the reality of Paul Foreman’s (Peter Ash) illness weighs hard.
However, the consequence is heartwarming as the brood make every effort to improve the situation and have a good day.
The Bailey family Christmas, on the other hand, is less fortunate; Ed’s (Trevor Michael Georges) betrayal has left the clan reeling, and there is no turning this one around.
Christmas Day
For the people living on Coronation Street, Christmas Day is a family occasion when the best of Weatherfield gets together at their homes to look back on the previous year and anticipate the year ahead.
When Tracy realises she is preparing food for ten people at the Barlows, she is not impressed, and a quip about the years that separate relationships ruins their harmony between her and Steve.
She stops into the flower shop to grab a bottle of wine and ends up serving Tommy Orpington, who has taken advantage of the situation to buy a last-minute present for his mother.
Carla receives a lovely gift from Peter: a silver bracelet with the words “P loves C” engraved on it. He is taken aback, though, when she shows him what she bought him.
Paul and Billy at the Builder’s Yard flat are looking forward to a quiet Christmas Day spent with a bottle of bubbly and a movie.
However, when Gemma is unable to contact Paul, Chesney and Gemma get concerned. Afraid that Paul might have fallen, Todd and Chesney burst in the door and take more than they intended!
From behind bars, Bernie phones the family from Chesney and Gemma’s video. They all sing “Away in a Manger” together.
At number three, Ed feels even worse when he opens the watch that reads, “For the World’s Best Dad. Our Hero,” and he watches remorsefully as the family opens the few gifts they were able to save. Alya makes a call to everyone, inviting them to Christmas lunch at Speed Daal with her family.
In another area of the road Mary and a tipsy Evelyn assist Roy in preparing the Christmas dinner in the café.
When Evelyn opens the gift Roy gave her, she is truly moved by what he got her. In the interim The Websters and the Platts sit down in the restaurant and go over the menu.
Boxing Day
The link between Burton and Weatherfield’s answer to Taylor is examined in this poignant episode.
Carla and Peter reflect on their turbulent romance and decide that, even though they will always be in love, it would be best for them to stay apart. Will these soulmates be able to accept a future without one another as they eat their last dinner together?
With Carla trailing closely behind, Peter leaves the apartment with his holdall and is shocked to see that the entire family—save for Simon—is waiting outside. Peter bids them all a heartfelt goodbye and assures Ken that he will stay in touch.
Wednesday December 27
Craig acknowledges over the phone at number three that they haven’t been able to locate the burglar. Joel phones Ed at the builder’s yard, saying he will put in a good word for him on behalf of his affluent client, who is searching for a respectable and trustworthy builder.
Glory receives a Wendy house from Sean and Izzy, who explain that they all got together to buy it from a pawn shop. When Michael realises that the stolen house is the exact same Wendy home, he is taken aback. After Michael tells Craig about the Wendy house, Craig agrees to investigate.
Roy is worried about Carla when she says that she and Peter have broken up. Carla rushes out, nearly knocking down a boy named Bobby on the factory stairs, and claims she’s going to work from home. Bobby phones the Street Cars flat. He’s expecting a pizza delivery boy when Carla buzzes him in.
Carla gets really upset when Bobby says he’s the son of Rob Donovan. Bobby tells Carla a heartbreaking tale, then Rob calls and includes Carla in the image. Bobby is allowed to stay for a few weeks as long as he abides by Carla’s guidelines. Bobby is overjoyed.
Paul tells Billy and Gemma that he has back trouble, and he is upset when Moses, the PA, shows in and claims to be filling in for Jim Paul’s regular PA. However, Moses proves to be a blessing when he relieves Paul’s back discomfort by massaging it.
When Roy sees the Porsche in the garage, he discovers that Cassie took it without the owner’s permission. The Porsche belongs to a customer.
Kevin and Abi, meantime, are shocked to see a large scratch on the side panel of the car. Cassie tells Kevin that it’s possible Abi has resumed drinking and that’s why she scratched the Porsche.
Eliza plugs in her earbuds and stays silent in the café. Given how angry she was when Dom didn’t show up for Christmas, Yasmeen and Alya are concerned for her.
Stu is miserable. Telling Dom that Eliza is very angry and that he feels he made a mistake, Stu calls and leaves a message for him.
Friday December 29
The revelation of Ed’s gambling has the Bailey family in disarray, and Michael wants him removed. Dee Dee is enraged that Joel and Ronnie were aware of Ed’s gambling habit.
In the precinct ginnel, Todd discovers Ed with the entire world resting on his shoulders. Ed informs him about his addiction to gambling and how his family despises him but is unaware of the worst. Ed makes the decision to tell.
At last, Stu tells Yasmeen that it’s his responsibility that Dom pulled a disappearing act. He paid Dom £10k to avoid Eliza, believing it would be in her best interests, and now he’s never coming back.
Yasmeen is appalled. Yasmeen confides in Roy about Stu’s dishonest actions and how she has fallen for a man who lies to her often.
A van arrives as Carla and Bobby are leaving the flat. Bobby recognises everything he owns and knows his mother must have sent them on as the driver opens the van doors. Realising he’s here to stay breaks Carla’s heart.
Simon says he’s going to go overnight at his mother’s and offers him his bedroom. After spotting Bobby flirting on Debbie at the Chariot Square tavern, Carla brings him home.
Daisy is informed by Jenny that the Rovers are now formally theirs after their bid was accepted. Excited, Daisy throws Jenny a hug.
Jenny and Daisy talk about the pub’s reopening in the café. Daisy feels optimistic that Daniel might want to try again when he approaches her and says he’d want to talk.
Daisy informs Jenny that she has had a conversation with Waterford’s, and they have decided to reopen the bar in time for New Year’s Eve. Jenny is overjoyed.
Moses summons Paul and proposes that they go shopping since he’ll benefit from the fresh air. Paul and Moses get back after their shopping excursion. Moses is fumbling to get the key in the door when Todd notices him. Todd, obviously smitten, rushes to assist.
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