Starting with Carl Webster and his plan to fleece his sister is in full swing in the ITV soap as he checks his bank balance, having transferred some money from Debbie’s account, while she ignores another next from Elaine.

Meanwhile, when Ronnie Bailey reveals her friends have planned a hen party, Debbie feigns enthusiasm, as Sally Metcalfe, Christina Boyd, Glenda Shuttleworth and Bernie Winter, await the bride-to-be’s arrival.

Over at the stag do, Ronnie reveals he’s got an appointment with a solicitor as Debbie wants him to have power of attorney over her finances, and Carl listens in dismay. Soon, Carl answers his phone and his face falls.

Over at the hen, Bernie takes a call from Debbie, revealing she’s in Leeds so won’t be joining them. As the hens resolve to enjoy the party anyway, Abi Webster rushes out after a call from Carl.

Later, Carl explains to James Bailey that his mum died, he got drunk and he regrets sending him a text. Frustratedm James threatens to spill the beans to Abi, but can Carl stop him?

It seems Carl trying to win James round, as he finds him and suggests they could both do with some fun. As Abi takes Alfie to visit ex-husband Kevin, he asks her to stay and watch a film. But she texts Carl, keen to get back. In Abi’s flat, Carl and James tear at each other’s clothes, unaware of Carl’s phone buzzing on the side. Is Abi about to get a Christmas shocker?

Elsehwere on the cobbles, Susie Price tells mum Eva Price and her partner Ben Driscoll she’d like a baby brother or sister. Ben likes the idea, whilst Eva’s clearly rattled.

Meanwhile, when Carl tells Maggie Driscoll that Eva’s credit card was found in one of the hotel bedrooms, she’s intrigued. But Ben explains that his son, Will, had taken his girlfriend there and used Eva’s card to pay.

But when Adam Barlow finds a tearful Eva in the backyard and Eva pours her heart out to him, will Maggie start jumping to conclusions? While Eva admits that she hates herself for lying to Ben, Adam assures her she had no choice. What is it she hiding?

Trying to help, Adam tells Eva it might help to write down her feelings in the form of a letter. But things start to look even more suspicious as when Alya Nazir enters, Adam shoves a jewellery box at Eva and asks her to hide it as it’s Alya’s present, not realising Maggie is watching on Eva hides the box.

Intrigued, Maggie rifles through Eva’s handbag but she’s disappointed to find it’s a necklace engraved for Alya. However, as she puts the box back, she finds Eva’s letter. Shocked by its contents, a conniving Maggie insists Adam and Alya must join the family for Christmas dinner.

As Christmas Day arrives, a disgusted Maggie watches Ben and Eva lovingly exchanging gifts, meanwhile, Daniel Osbourne and Bertie call at the pub with a gift for Megan. When Maggie insists they must stay for lunch, Will masks his fury.

Adam eventually gives Alya the necklace and telling her how much he loves her and suggests they move in together, leaving Alya thrilled. But when a panicky Eva rifles through her bag, she tells Adam that her letter is missing. As Adam takes her hand, Ben enters and clocks their intimacy.

With an atmosphere starting to build, the Driscolls sit down to eat with their guests. Maggie throws Eva a murderous look whilst Will casts daggers at Daniel. Unaware of the tension, Ollie Driscoll and Lauren Bolton get on famously. Once lunch is over, Maggie hands out the secret santa gifts. But as Ben unwraps his he’s floored by what he receives.

The following day, the Christmas festivities turn into a nightmare as the residents reel following the events of Christmas Day, and Evelyn Plummer is horrified to find one resident slumped in the ginnel having been attacked and left for dead.

Also in Weatherfield, Lisa Swain reads a text from Carla Connor informing her that she wants her name taken off the mortgage. When she then sees a picture on Carla’s socials showing her sipping a cocktail, ‘living her best life’, Lisa masks her hurt.

Meanwhile, when Lisa reveals that DI Costello is showing signs of improvement and they’re moving him to a rehab clinic, Becky masks her panic. As Costello is wheeled out of the hospital, Becky approaches and flashing Lisa’s police badge at the porter, asserts that she’ll take it from here, leaving her former superior staring at her in horror.

As Christmas Eve dawns, Becky urges Lisa to forget about Carla and enjoy Christmas. When Lisa complains of tension in her neck, Becky gives her a massag, but as she does, Becky starts to kiss Lisa on the back of her neck. Will we see Lisa respond?

Soon, Becky suggests to Lisa that there’s nothing to stop them from rekindling their old life. But Lisa sends Carla a text telling her how much she loves her and how she’d do anything to win her back.

On Christmas Day, Lisa watches Betsy fondly as she unwraps her presents. When Becky kisses the back of her neck, Lisa forces a smile. But she’s soon left worried, having received a text from Roy Cropper informing her that Carla never checked into her hotel in Lanzarote. Where is Carla?

And, when Theo Silverton asks Todd Grimshaw if he’s looking forward to Christmas, Todd changes the subject and remarks how good it was to be back at work, leaving Theo simmering. Later, returning home with stacks of shopping, Theo explains that he’s invited all their friends for Christmas dinner but he’ll be doing the cooking, how will Todd react?

On Christmas Day, George Shuttleworth, Christina Boyd, Summer Spellman and Glenda Shuttleworth join Todd and Theo for Christmas lunch. But when Summer reveals that she’s bought Todd tickets to an Andrew Scott retrospective because she knows he’s always fancied him, Theo bristles. And his temper soon flares as when his and Todd’s guests play charades, Theo loses his temper and smashes a wine glass on the floor.