Coronation Street boss Kate Oates has revealed some tantalising details about Pat Phelan’s comeuppance.
She has also let slip who will be behind the murderer’s long overdue downfall – his very own wife Eileen Grimshaw.
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Once his missus gets wind of what the psycho killer has been up to all these months, her conscience will not allow her to keep quiet.
Mikey North – who plays Gary Windass – told This Morning earlier this week that Phelan’s reign of terror would continue for some months.
But now the show runner has confirmed his chips will definitely be up this year.
Kate told the Radio Times: “2018 is going to see the demise of Phelan. Connor [McIntyre] is so up for this challenge. He’s so excited about it and he’s playing it brilliantly.
“What I like about Phelan’s downfall is that it’s very much to do with Eileen. It’s to do with her realising who she’s married. It’s to do with Nicola and that child.”
The soap guru also referenced the light and shade of the soap’s plots – following criticism from some quarters that Coronation Street had become too dark.
“You’ve got the high drama balanced out with the emotional family domestic drama,” she added. “[This] is when I think Corrie is at its best.”
Viewers have already seen Gary and Nicola join forces in a bid to trick and trap Phelan, using his Achilles heel – his unborn grandchild.
Mikey explained to Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield: “I think Gary and Nicola have concocted a plan to infiltrate Phelan’s life.
“Gary’s got a job now working on the mill with Phelan.
“Now I’m going to find out what he’s hiding down there. That’s going to run for a couple of months.”
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He addressed criticism from some fans that Phelan’s time on the cobbles was going on too long.
“All I can say on the matter is the viewing figures are higher than they have been for the last couple of years.
“People might be switching off but they’re also switching on. People are talking about it and that’s what Corrie wants.”
But he remained tight-lipped about exactly how the baddie builder’s denouement would play out, adding: “I’m not sure it’s set in stone how Phelan’s demise will happen.
“I know it’s the beginning of the end but there’s still a few more months to run.”
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