Kevin Webster (Michael le Vell) will be diagnosed with cancer in a hard-hitting new Coronation Street storyline in 2025 – with new show boss Kate Brooks warning that it will seriously test his marriage to Abi (Sally Carman).
Kevin will be given the news after getting a lump examined and will confide the news in his friends, as Kate assures us it will be handled in a ‘refreshing’ way, with him being quite open with his pals.
But, with Abi already enduring tough times in the aftermath of a teenage stabbing on the cobbles, the news will pile more on top of her.
And the subsequent challenges is creates could be enough to rip the relationship apart.
‘As we go into the new year, Kevin will discover that he’s got testicular cancer, which causes a massive strain on his relationship,’ Kate told Metro.
‘Abi is a really strong character, but she’s going through her own turmoil at the same time. We want to tell this really truthfully.
‘We’ve been working closely with Macmillan to make sure that we tell the story right. Ultimately, it’s about their relationship and testing that relationship.
‘It was really important that we don’t show Kevin being embarrassed or being reticent to talk to his friends about it. He’s quite open about it, which I thought was quite refreshing.
‘He talks to Tim and Steve about it, and they all have their own way of handling it, but ultimately it’s about his relationship with Abi, and that is going to be truly tested.
‘As I alluded to, Abi is going through her own situation as she struggles with the aftermath of Mason’s stabbing. She loves Kevin and he loves her, but temptation comes Abi’s way…’
And it’s a busy time for the Webster family. On top of all of this, the clan is being expanded by an occasionally mentioned but yet to be seen relative.
Kate continued: ‘We’ve got Carl Webster coming into the show, who is Debbie and Kevin’s brother, to build up that Webster clan.
‘We’ve got big stories coming up for Debbie and Kevin. It’s about building that clan up. For me, the Websters, Barlows and Platts are the big clans.’
Of course, as recently revealed by Metro, there is further tragedy down the line, with Debbie (Sue Devaney) set to be diagnosed with dementia, a storyline that will ultimately lead to her exit.
An insider told us: ‘It’s one of the show’s biggest storylines of the year, and a real chance for Sue to finally get her time in the spotlight – it will just be devastating for fans that it will effectively be her final storyline.
‘It’s one of many major storylines new boss Kate Brooks has in the bag, and there will not be a dry eye in the house.
‘There is no doubt in the Corrie family that she will give the performance of a lifetime and make Debbie’s exit one to remember for years.’
