Coronation Street spoilers: Bitter Christmas fallout for Tracy and Steve

**And right before the big day! (Picture: ITV)**

On Christmas Day, Tommy Orpington (Matt Milburn), a former professional football player, makes a comeback to Coronation Street.

When Tommy and his then-fiance hired Michelle Connor (Kym Marsh) as their wedding planner to help organise their special day, that’s when they first set foot on the Street. He made friends with Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine) and Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson), which led to a falling out between the two best buddies.

He and his fiancée decided they no longer needed Michelle’s wedding planning skills after an injury ended his football career, so they fired her. He has since made multiple appearances, most notably during the Seb Franklin murder trial.

This time, Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford), who fled the house following a fight with Steve, spots him on Christmas Day.

Tracy’s day hasn’t gone well, starting with the sobering knowledge that she needs to prepare Christmas dinner for ten guests. Tracy has had enough when Steve jokes awkwardly about taking a year off from relationships. She discards the festive tea towel and leaves to go for a bottle of wine at the flower store.

**Tracy gets quite the surprise (Picture: ITV)**

She then spots Tommy there when he stops by the flower store to pick up a (very) last-minute present for his mother.

Iain MacLeod, the head of Corrie, said that Tommy, who is currently unmarried, will have a “surprising romance” in 2024. We’re curious as to whether Tracy will be the woman in question.

He was forced to go back to his previous profession as a painter and decorator, which he held while playing non-league football. Interestingly, he is currently unmarried. Iain MacLeod informed us that one of our female characters could want some decorating—not a euphemism.

“Basically, there’s a story that develops where this charming, historically successful man walks into the life of one of our female characters and, shall we say, upsets the apple cart in a pretty spectacular fashion.”

It’s hilarious, but there may be some sad moments as well. Tommy Orpington will finally come off the substitute bench because it sets off something extremely significant for us over the course of the next 12 months, including a major change in direction for some characters.

Hurt. Poor Steve sounds like he might have scored an own goal.