Coronation Street stalwart Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) will be diagnosed with testicular cancer in a new storyline, it has been revealed.
The character - a regular fixture on the cobbles for more than 41 years - is given the devastating news in the new year but as he tries to come to terms with it, wife Abi (Sally Carman) is facing demons of her own after the stabbing of reformed bad boy Mason (Luca Toolan) stirs up disturbing memories of the death of her son Seb (Harry Visinoni).
The new storyline comes after recent reports that Sue Devaney will leave her role as Kevin's sister Debbie Webster in 2026 following a long-term battle with dementia, which will be diagnosed at some point next year.
Speaking to The Sun and other press, Corrie's executive producer Kate Brooks also revealed that amid the siblings' health struggles, the soap will introduce their younger half-brother Carl Webster - believed to be aged 38 - who has been referenced but not seen on screen before.
"The Websters are brilliant," she said. "Kevin and Sally (Sally Dynevor) are at the heart of it – then you've got Tim (Joe Duttine) and you've got Abi. They're a great character group.
"As we go into the New Year, Kevin will discover that he's got testicular cancer, which causes a massive strain on his relationship. 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 Kevin and Abi's relationship and testing that relationship."
She continued: "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.
"Kevin talks to Tim and Steve (Simon Gregson) 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.
"Abi is going through her own situation as she struggles with the aftermath of a big event that happens in January. She loves Kevin and he loves her, but temptation comes Abi's way."
As for Carl's introduction, she 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."
Coronation Street continues Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7am on ITVX and at 8pm on ITV1.
Neil Wilkes
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