Coronation Street‘s Carl Webster is rocked by sad news next week as the show’s Christmas storylines begin. Just as Carl’s manipulative behaviour is getting worse, he’s stopped in his tracks by a shocking phone call.

Viewers have watched in horror as Carl has started ruthlessly using his sister Debbie’s dementia diagnosis to his own advantage. The bad boy recently tricked Debbie into thinking that she was no longer capable of looking after the finances at her beloved Chariot Square Hotel business – then stepped in to oversee the accounts himself.

Next week, Carl checks his bank balance after secretly transferring some money from Debbie’s account. Although he knows that he’s doing the wrong thing, Carl’s top priority is topping up his bank balance ahead of his planned return to Germany.

Later, at Ronnie Bailey’s stag party, Debbie’s other half reveals that he has an important appointment with a solicitor coming up.

“Debbie wants Ronnie to have power of attorney and control over her finances,” our Corrie source explains. “She may have given Carl oversight of her business, but her future husband is the person that she trusts implicitly when it comes to her other affairs.

“Carl’s dismayed to hear the news at the party – this could prevent him from carrying out his full plan…”

When Carl then answers an unrelated phone call, his face falls as he processes some shocking news, letting him know that his mum has passed away.

Over at the hen party, Abi Webster is forced to leave early as she rushes out following an unexpected call from Carl – who’s understandably upset.

In the days that follow, Carl tells Ronnie that he wants to go and see his mum’s body to say a final goodbye…

Corrie bosses recently revealed how this story will be one of the ones taking centre stage over Christmas this year, paving the way for Carl to start taking even more risks…

A teaser released by the show read: “Debbie’s hen do turns out to be more of a ‘hen don’t’ as a shocking death rocks the already fractured Webster family.

“Carl is reeling from devastating news. While Carl drowns his sorrows, a dangerous liaison with James threatens to expose all. Facing the ultimate betrayal, will a suspicious Abi uncover the shocking truth about Carl’s relationship with James? And as the net closes in, will a flighty Carl stick around to celebrate Debbie’s dream day and an emotional performance with the dementia choir?”