Coronation Street star speaks out over 'affair' amid online backlash

Amid a backlash over a rumoured affair looming in Coronation Street, one actor involved in the plot has spoken out.

Carl Webster's arrival was reported to lead to a fling with the wife of his brother Kevin Webster, Abi Franklin. We've already seen the pair clash over their "sparks" with some flirty scenes on the way and next week, things take a turn.

Spoilers have confirmed that Carl makes a pass at Abi next week and kisses her - but how does she react and is this the start of the rumoured affair that has sparked an online backlash? Viewers have been fuming about the potential storyline ever since the first reports emerged.

Corrie has yet to comment or share much on whether the affair actually happens, while it's clear Carl is into Abi and he acts on it next week. Now, actor Jonathan Howard, who plays Carl, has addressed the storyline and what Carl's real intentions are.

Speaking about the kiss and what happens next, Jonathan told The Mirror and other press what was really going on amid fans pleading with bosses not to have Abi cheat on Kevin. Jonathan said: "I think Carl is very impulsive. I think he thinks between his trousers.

"I think if they met in different circumstances maybe he wouldn’t have the feelings quite as strongly, but the circumstances where they met, when he had no idea who this lady is, it’s just a very animalistic reaction to being attracted to someone. I think the tug of war with Carl has been between having these feelings, wanting to have that moment with Abi, but constantly balancing it with ‘I do know that I’m visiting my brother and he’s got cancer.’ I think it’s the push and pull of those feelings."

On whether Carl feels guilty for betraying his own brother, he went on: "We have to remember there’s 20 years difference between these brothers. When I was a wee little baby, Kevin was in his 20s, he was on the cobbles starting his life and having his business and starting his family.

"I did feel a little resentment of being left behind in some ways. He’s not been as present in Carl’s life growing up like Debbie was, for example. So I think there’s a feeling of not really owing him too much. He’s my brother, on paper, and I love him as a brother, but he’s not been a brother who’s been a part of my daily life.

"He’s never been to Germany to visit me. I think that’s slight justification for why he doesn’t put Kevin at the forefront of every decision he’s making." On both Carl and Abi's feelings on the whole situation, Carl said: "He wants what he wants, he’s impulsive and he wants to feel good, whoever that is with.

"Whether it’s through alcohol or women or anything, I think he’s there to enjoy himself to the maximum of human experience. He’s massively attracted to Abi so he’s going to go for that, all guns blazing.

"As much as I wanted it to be the start of something more, 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 and she very quickly pulls away.

"So there isn’t that moment where I have complete confidence that she wants me. She pushes me back very quickly." Addressing whether the kiss could lead to more, he said: "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. 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."

Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITV X. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .