Coronation Street fans rejoiced when an “unexpected twist” came at the end of Monday night’s episode but were not convinced this was the end of a controversial storyline just yet

Coronation Street fans were treated to an “unexpected twist” amid Carla Connor’s kidnapping drama at the end of Monday night’s episode. The factory boss, played by Alison King, was being held hostage in Becky Swain’s wardrobe, after the corrupt police officer came back from the dead and went to extreme lengths to try to win her wife Lisa back.

Just over a year ago, Carla struck up a relationship with DS Lisa Swain (Vicky Myers) and their union has enthralled viewers, leading them to become a social media sensation known as Swarla. Their engagement was soured when Becky, who was thought to have been killed in the line of duty in 2021, casually walked back into number six, having been living in a villa in Spain as part of a cover-up.

Carla could not take the pressure of trying to make her relationship with Lisa work anymore after Becky managed to end up living with them, and called the whole thing off. She said she was going to take herself off to the Canary Islands for Christmas, but viewers of the world’s longest-running TV soap recently learned that Carla had been taken prisoner by Becky, who wanted her out of the way so she could spend the festive period sleeping with Lisa.

On the latest instalment of the Manchester-based serial, Becky went into the wardrobe so she could give Carla her meds, and she flew into a rage when Carla tried to bargain with her. She said: “You let me out of here, you tell Lisa what you’ve done, and let’s see who she chooses,” but Becky fired back: “You’re nowt but a rebound. On the scene five minutes. I’m her wife!” But when Carla reminded Becky that the only way she’d still have a chance with Lisa is by tying her up, Becky flew into a rage and wailed: “You ruined my life!” and threw a plate at her.

To add to the drama, Lisa’s boss, DI Costello, is in on the whole cover-up somehow, but was recently landed in hospital after Becky attacked him. Prior to her kidnapping, Carla visited him in a bid to get information, only managing to extract the words ‘rhubarb’ and ‘hill’ from him. Just before Christmas, Becky had allowed Carla to speak to her stepdaughter, Betsy, on the phone, albeit while being held at knifepoint, and she pretended out of desperation that everything was fine and she was staying at the Rhubarb Hill Hotel.

Back on the street, Carla’s Underworld colleague Sarah was becoming increasingly concerned about an order, and when she and DC Kit Green bumped into Betsy in the pub, the teenager casually mentioned the name of the non-existent hotel, which sparked suspicion immediately, as Kit was aware of Carla’s previous meeting with Costello. But to their surprise, a quick Google search revealed a website and phone number for the hotel.

Becky later stormed back to her flat, and during a mysterious phone call, it was revealed she had set the whole thing up herself. She said: “Sounds like he took the bait. No, don’t take the website down yet. You need to keep an eye on that phone line, too. We need everyone to believe that hotel exists!” It was then that she hung up, complained about the cost of building the website, but just as she opened the wardrobe door, Carla attacked her and knocked her out cold, having managed to free herself with the shards of broken plate.

Viewers rejoiced that Carla had taken it upon herself to escape, but suspect there could be a further twist in store as they prepare for the soap’s upcoming crossover with Emmerdale. One fan wrote on X:”Carla knocking Becky out at the end. Yass, hunny, yas!” and another joked: “Carla Connor WWE legend.”

A third wrote: “This is an unexpected twist, but I don’t think she’ll escape!! Or able to escape and there Kit rescues her,” and a fourth said: “Carla’s not going to run is she? She’s going to check on Becky first because she’s a good person, and Becky will overpower her again.” Another wrote: “Well wasn’t that thoroughly satisfying! Carla nearly launching Becky into next week!!” But some were sure that, even though they’re not exactly sure how, this could spell the end for Becky in one form or another.

One fan wrote: “That Becky loser is definitely gonna flee put herself first,” and another said: “If that little push and Becky falling felt that good, imagine what her downfall will feel like.” Fans of the soap will remember that this is not the first time that businesswoman Carla has found herself in this sort of sticky situation.

In 2010, Carla’s now-late husband Tony Gordon returned to Underworld from prison and, seeking revenge, he held Carla hostage along with fellow Street legend Hayley Cropper in the factory as he set it on fire. They both made it out alive, just before the building exploded, but earlier this year, Carla was held hostage by her brother Rob Donovan at number one, who had escaped from prison after almost a decade behind bars for the murder of Tina McIntyre.

Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITV X. *