Corrie producer Kate Brooks reveals all about 11 of the biggest storylines coming up this spring/summer

And it's safe to say things aren't getting quieter!

Now that Lisa and Carla have said "I do" and Theo met his end during a very dramatic Murder Week in Coronation Street, the soap's producer, Kate Brooks, sat down with I Talk Telly and other media outlets to discuss what viewers can expect over the coming weeks and months.

With a whodunnit, unlikely friendships, a dangerous obsession, two new arrivals and more, here are 11 storylines that are coming up in Coronation Street this spring/summer...

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1

The fallout from Theo's death

Who is in the frame for his murder?

With Theo now confirmed to be the body that Betsy found on the night of the Swarla wedding, all eyes will turn to who could have ended his life?

On the upcoming whodunnit storyline, Kate Brooks said "There are a lot of people who are in the frame for Theo's death. George, Todd, Summer, Carl. He's created a lot of enemies. Gary's another one who's kind of in the mix, who's really been betrayed by him."

"When we watched that episode, when they all realised the extent of what had been happening to Todd, and the level of abuse, we saw the suspects there. They were there. They were concerned. And they adore Todd."

After confirming that we, the viewers, will find out the identity of Theo's killer "late June/July time", Kate revealed that there will be "So many different twists, and so many different offshoots to the story."

"You think you're watching one thing, and then it completely diverts into a completely new kind of territory. It will definitely keep people guessing. The show is not just going to be focused on that; there are going to be lots of other stories as well."

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2

Todd's life after Theo

Can he rebuild his life?

With Theo now gone for good, what's next for Todd? Can he trust again? And should he be grieving Theo?

Kate Brooks gave us some insight into Todd's next chapter, explaining "This is a guy who's been subject to the most horrific abuse. Who is traumatised. Who is grieving this guy, even though he doesn't know whether he should be grieving him because of the hell he's put him through."

"It's how he tries to rebuild his life, while still struggling to comprehend the fact that this man's been murdered, by potentially somebody he knows... or maybe even him!"

"It's a really interesting mix of whodunnit throughline story, but also about Todd's family and friends, George, Christina, Summer, Sarah - all rallying around Todd to make sure that he's OK. To try and build him and re-piece him back together, because what he's been through at the hands of Theo has been such an ordeal for him, to get that love and trust in people again, was very important to show."

Watch my exclusive interview with Gareth Pierce, who plays Todd, here.

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3

Megan's time in court

But will justice be served?

Having survived Murder Week, Megan must face the fallout from her actions.

Speaking about where the storyline will go next, Kate Brooks said "We've still got a bit of a journey to go on with that story. Obviously, she's been exposed, but Will at this point, still believes it was love. He believed it was all genuine, so we really chart his journey while the scales fall from his eyes."

"Obviously, there are Soap Gods, and as is Soap Gods' law, there will be some kind of retribution for Megan. She cannot get off with this scot-free. We will go down the proper channels, and justice will be ultimately... she'll have her day in court, put it that way. Whether it goes according to plan or not, I cannot say. But it goes down a very big path."

On who might help Will see sense, she revealed that "Tim's going to be so instrumental in making him realise what's gone on and how unacceptable and how wrong it was. It's about the family falling apart, but absolutely building themselves back up again as they try desperately to try and repair the damage that Megan's done to Will."

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4

Sam's mental health

Can he get the help he needs?

Will isn't Megan's only victim, of course, albeit in a different way, but Sam being responsible for outing Megan's actions has taken its toll on his mental health. And whilst we've already seen some of the effects on his mental health, it seems that there's a lot more to come.

Explaining what's next for Sam, Kate Brooks said "With Sam, he's got such a pure heart, so getting him across the Megan story, and having him be another victim of her manipulation, felt like a really interesting way of telling story."

"But as a result of that, his mental health has been really really damaged by everything that's happened. By the manipulation, by the fact that he wasn't believed, by the fear that he felt at the time was with Megan."

"So we're going to tell a big mental health story with Sam, and he's going to really really struggle, certainly across the course of the spring and early summer. Again, it's about his family realising, hopefully before it's too late, that he's in desperate need of help and he's really vulnerable."

"It's showcasing that Megan's actions have not just directly impacted Will and the Driscolls, Sam's also collateral damage in all of this. People's trust has been absolutely dismantled because of this woman's perpetual lies. So it'll show another consequence of that."

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5

Daniel's world unravels

How can he trust again?

Another victim of Megan's actions, and coming to terms with how he defended her, is Daniel, who faces some dark times ahead as he unravels.

Speaking about what's in store for Daniel over the coming weeks and months, Kate Brooks said "Beth (Nixon) said he's innocent in all of this, and he completely is. He met somebody who was on the same page as him, a teacher, apparently respectable, and he's been completely duped by it. It completely makes him unravel. Rob (Mallard), who plays Daniel, is such a phenomenal actor, and seeing him slowly try to lose it... who does he trust? How can he trust again?"

"He's been bitten so badly by this relationship, and by the fact that he's the one who defended her as well. He defended her to Will, and he feels like he's let Will down, he feels like he's let Bertie down, so we're really going to chart the impact she's had on him and his life, and his attitude to relationships going forward, will be quite badly affected by what he's been through with Megan.

Teasing what's to come, she also added "He does go a bit dark as well, Daniel, so it's definitely one to watch!"

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6

Jodie’s dangerous obsession

Will she succeed in coming between David and Shona?

Bit by bit, Jodie's past has been catching up with her, and whilst she didn't meet her end during Murder Week, no one would have been surprised if she had.

Teasing what's in store for Jodie, Kate Brooks said "She is desperately trying to get what she feels is rightfully hers. She has a real soft spot for David. She sees this life that Shona's built, and she thinks "Why couldn't that be...? That could be me. That should be my life. If you'd not left me and abandoned me and never gone back for me, I could have had a normal life with a family, and a dog named after the father in the family!"

On whether or not she'll succeed in breaking up what David and Shona have, she said "David and Shona are a really strong united couple. They adore each other. They've been through a lot. Harper's still in hospital, but ultimately Harper will come home. And the stresses of family life will start to really take its toll. And it's whether she's able to exploit those weaknesses within that relationship."

"Whether she's able to tempt David over to the dark side? Whether that be because she genuinely wants him, or because she wants to punish Shona for leaving her. She's certainly going to try and wheedle her way into that family and come between them.

Adding "But as I say, David and Shona are a pretty solid couple. It's whether they can unite and see her for who she is and what she is, in time."

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7

Daniel and Jodie's unlikely bond

But what draws them together?

With Daniel's world unravelling and Jodie continuing her dangerous obsession with David and Shona, Kate Brooks also teased how "(Jodie's) story will dovetail off into Daniel's story. An unlikely friendship will be formed, which I don't think many will see coming."

Teasing how "It's a different insight into what makes them both tick, because for the first time, Daniel's able to be truthful about how he feels. And similarly, Jodie's able to be quite truthful with Daniel, because he's in quite a dark place." and promising "Interesting dynamics between them two."

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8

Debbie and Carl's relationship

Can they mend what's been broken?

With Carl's return to Germany seemingly off the table, for now at least, it seems mum Debbie is determined to mend their broken relationship.

On what's next for Debbie, Kate Brooks said "Debbie still has dementia, and we'll see her symptoms start to take hold slightly more. She's still very much the Debbie we know and love throughout the spring and the summer; that vibrancy is still there."

Confirming that "Her friendships with the women that she holds so dear are still very much at the front and centre of the show. Her relationship with Ronnie is still really, really strong, but it's her relationship with Carl that needs the most repair."

"The thing with Carl is, he is such a complex individual. He's incredibly selfish and self-serving. But there is deep, deep down some kind of semblance of a heart there. And Debbie, as his mother, can see that. And knows that despite the veneer of "I don't care who I hurt", she knows that there's a vulnerability there.'

"It's how those two people can come together and forge a relationship that's not based on Carl trying to wheedle money out of her, or trying to manipulate her in any way."

"It needs to go back to basics and become about the sincerity of their relationship. It does take a while to get there, and it does all come to a head, a big header, with the fellas in Debbie's life, as things take a bit of a slight curveball. But it's all really interesting stuff."

As I say, trying to give Debbie that bit of happiness before she goes too far down the line.

Christina, Glenda, Sally, Debbie, Bernie - those five women are just phenomenal actors and the warmth and the comedy, and the kindness that they all emanate, is just contagious. So we are going to put, not just Debbie front and centre, but there's a massive storyline coming up for Bernie down the line, which will involve Kit and her family dynamics... well, that's a bit further ahead actually!

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9

Sally and Tim are tested

How will they cope?

After Sally's scene-stealing performances before, during and after the Swarla wedding, it seems she and Tim are in for some troubling times ahead.

Explaining more, Kate Brooks said "Late spring, early summer, there's a massive storyline for Sally and Tim that comes to the fore. It's a story that tests them as people, tests them as a couple, but tests them as foster parents as well. It's a bit of a curveball this story, and it comes slightly leftfield, but it absolutely upends their lives. And it's how they navigate that situation going forward."

"Sally and Tim are so beloved, and I just adore them. It's seeing them in a slightly different position than what we've seen them in before."

She went on to explain how "That story will also dovetail further down the line with a Christina storyline, which again, Christina and George are a really strong couple in the show, and it's keeping those friendships alive. There's a connection there as well."

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10

The arrival of Tyrone's dad

What will this mean for Cassie's exit?

With Claire Sweeney set to leave Coronation Street this year, Kate Brooks has started to tease Cassie's exit, and it all starts with the arrival of someone very familiar... Tyrone's dad! His casting hasn't been confirmed yet, but it sounds like he's going to be making quite the impression.

Speaking ahead of his arrival, Kate said "Needless to say, he comes with quite a bit of drama. It's going to cause quite a lot of friction within that family. Obviously, there's the Cassie history, and as we all know, Claire (Sweeney) is leaving us, so it will contribute to Cassie's exit, which is going to be massive, quite explosive and full of all the twists and turns you come to expect from an exit."

"It's very domesticated, Fiz and Tyrone are fantastic, another couple that I love, and it really shines a spotlight on them as a family. And that dynamic as a family. Cassie is, needless to say, not happy that this guy has tipped back up."

On how Tyrone will react coming face-to-face with his father, Kate said "Tyrone's of the mindset that 'I'm 40-odd, I've survived this long without my dad...', but the dad is very, very keen to connect with Tyrone."

And it seems that he won't just be looking to connect with Tyrone, as Kate teases "It's not long before dad makes eyes at one of the residents, and maybe a bit of a relationship starts there." - Who do you think that could be?

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11

The arrival of Alya's cousin

Could Idris be Leanne's perfect partner?

Tyrone's dad is not the only new arrival heading to the cobbles this spring/summer, as Junade Khan will be joining Coronation Street to play Alya's cousin, Idris. Who very quickly catches the eye of one Weatherfield resident.

Speaking ahead of his arrival, Kate described him as "Very, very charming. The charm oozes out of every pore of this guy. He's a savvy kind of business guy, he's got a bit of a ruthless streak, not afraid to get his hands dirty, slightly, but he can charm the birds from the trees, and the first bird he charms from the trees is Leanne!"

On their attraction, she added, "The attraction is instantaneous. It gives Leanne a new lease of life, somewhat. She's still been harbouring a very deep-rooted resentment towards Toyah and Nick, because that's the life that she had. And this guy comes along, and he's got it all! He makes her laugh; he's funny. He's a handsome chap. And he ruffles a lot of feathers. He's not without an edge, he's not soft, and certainly not a pushover."

But it won't be plain sailing for Idris as Kate confirms that he "butts heads with some of our more alpha characters quite early on. Whilst everything else has been going on in her life, she's (Leanne) got this happiness with this guy! Really excited about Idris, he's going to be brilliant."

And if you're thinking, he looks familiar. Then Junade was previously in Corrie as Saj, a love interest for Rosie Webster back in September 2008 and shortly after took on the role of Ash Roy in Hollyoaks, where he remained for just under a year.

Coronation Street continues Monday to Friday at 8.30pm on ITV1 with first look episodes available from 7am on ITVX