Sparks flew in Coronation Street between Abi Webster (Sally Carman) and Carl Webster (Jonathan Howard) when they had a car accident in Freshco’s car park.
When Carl subsequently turned out to be Kevin (Michael Le Vell) and Debbie (Sue Devaney)’s brother it was an uncomfortable moment for Abi when she realised the man she’d been flirting with was actually her brother-in-law.
And things are about to get even more complicated when Carl makes a move.
During that first meeting in the car park Carl was very upfront about being attracted to Abi, telling her she was ‘funny and gorgeous,’ and asking her out for a drink.
Abi made it quite clear that she was married and her husband was dealing with cancer treatment, but it was equally clear that she was attracted to Carl.
As soon as she realised that he was Kevin’s brother, Abi has been doing her best to put some distance between her and Carl, but considering he’s determined to stick around to support Kevin and also Debbie – he’s the only family member so far who knows about Debbie’s dementia diagnosis – that hasn’t been easy.
Jonathan Howard told us that Carl will have few qualms in pursuing Abi. ‘He’s massively attracted to Abi so he’s going to go for that, all guns blazing,’ he revealed. ‘He wants what he wants, he’s impulsive and he wants to feel good, whoever that is with.’
In upcoming episodes a vulnerable moment for Carl leads him to some reckless behaviour when he kisses Abi. Jonathan described what happens.
‘The kiss comes in quite a vulnerable and emotional moment for Carl where he’s dealing with this secret he’s keeping about his sister. He’s trying to contain that vow and promise he made to his sister.
‘When I go to see Abi it’s just after finding out the news about what’s going to happen with Debbie, so I’m already in quite a vulnerable, mixed-emotion place. Everything’s a little mixed up from his head to his heart to what’s between his legs and he impulsively goes to kiss her .’
How Abi reacts to this remains to be seen, but Jonathan told us that, in that moment, Carl’s feelings for Abi are genuine – or that’s what Carl chooses to believe.
‘I think he’s convinced himself that it is something strong, that if he’s going to wreck this marriage it’s because he’s really fallen for her,’ he concluded.
‘Whether or not once he’s had that moment and had that experience with her he’ll still feel the same about it, whether it’s love or lust, we’ll find out, I think.’
