Three explosive ITV Coronation Street theories: ex-wife horror and jaw-dropping affair

SPIDER Nugent was hoping for some peace and quiet following Griff Reynolds’ arrest.

Unfortunately, life in Coronation Street has some dark surprises in store. But who could be after him?

1. Revenge plan ahead?

Living as an undercover copper in the cobbles becomes a source of deadly trouble for Spider Nugent (portrayed by Martin Hancock).

Spider’s week begins with a meeting with his superintendent who informs him about a new job which would mean moving away with a new identity.

Knowing that it could protect him from far-right activist Griff Reynolds, who is out for blood, could Spider accept the offer?

This remains to be seen yet his relationship with long-time flame Toyah Battersby (Georgia Taylor) will be left in jeopardy by a shocking discovery.

When she finds bank statements showing Spider’s nowhere near as skint as he’s been making out, a paranoid Toyah goes through his laptop, discovering he’s been emailing his ex and searching for houses near her.

Under fire, Spider explains he’s been trying to accelerate his divorce and his savings went on something for her.

Spider produces a ring, dropping to one knee, and asks Toyah to marry him.

Could she say yes despite her troubled history with marriage?

Is Spider hiding another dark secret? 

Later on, danger knocks on their door and they get proof Griff isn’t the only villain they need to watch out for when Spider receives a message from his pursuer with instructions to meet.

Without letting on to Toyah, Spider informs his superiors and his colleagues watch covertly as he waits in the Freshco’s car park to meet his unknown enemy – but nobody turns up.

Meanwhile at the flat, a woman arrives to see Toyah, introducing herself as Spider’s wife.

While Toyah makes conversation, her sister Leanne (Jane Danson) bumps into Spider and is shocked when he reveals his wife isn’t even in the country.

Spider phones Toyah, scared for her life, and warns her the woman is an imposter.

Panicked, Toyah tries to act normal but when Leanne and Spider burst into the flat, they find signs of a disturbance, no Toyah or Sam, and blood on the floor. 

But could Spider be completely unaware of what his wife is really up to?

Could she have decided to come back to haunt him and Toyah?

2. Stephen FINALLY caught out

Stephen Reid (played by Todd Boyce) has tried to convince whoever he could in the cobbles that Elaine Jones (Paula Wilcox) is spiralling out of control.

The serial killer even insists that Elaine could end her life in an attempt to hide his plans to get rid of her himself – he’s even made her write her own suicide note in recent scenes.

But this week on ITV, his mother Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls) is surprised to see Elaine so upbeat.

He assures her that it’s all an act and he’s worried she might try and take her own life.

Elaine’s daughter-in-law Sally Metcalfe (Sally Dynevor) celebrates her birthday in the Bistro next week which prompts her to invite Gerry, her Tai-Chi instructor.

Stephen is less than impressed by Elaine’s decision but goes along with it.

In later scenes, Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine), Sally, Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) and Ed Bailey (Trevor Michael Georges) attend Gerry’s Tai-Chi class.

Elaine appears to be in her element when Gerry suggests they all meet later for a bite to eat. 

Could Tim, Sally, Elaine and Audrey all figure out that Stephen is lying through his teeth?

Will they confront him with their suspicions?

3. Shock affair

Daniel Osbourne and his fiancée Daisy Midgeley were in utter shock when they found Bertie left to his own devices while Gemma (portrayed by Dolly-Rose Campbell) slept.

The mother-of-four is desperate for extra cash and unwillingly opened a child-minding business within her own home without any of the qualifications or permits.

With five children at home – her quadruplets and stepson Joseph – and an ill brother fighting with motor neurone disease, Gemma admitted she was at breaking point, prompting Rita Tanner (Barbara Knox) to recommend antidepressants.

This led to, as mentioned above, a young Bertie in danger of overdosing on Gemma’s medication.

Coming up, Beth Tinker (Lisa George) lays into Gemma for endangering her grandson Bertie’s life.

To make matters worse, she reveals that she reported her to social services.

Gemma is horrified but, soon enough, Mandy the social worker arrives.

She’s forced to confess she was looking after six kids at the time and isn’t a registered childminder.

Mandy is appalled and warns her that she could be looking at a substantial fine meaning her financial woes will only be getting worse.

Gemma has a sleepless night, fretting over money but Jenny Connor (Sally Ann Matthews) soon suggests she asks her ex, Henry Newton, as he’s looking for staff.

Actor George Banks has been confirmed to reprise his role as the brewery heir.

Could he tempt Gemma into giving things another go with his swanky lifestyle?

Could Gemma leave her husband Chesney altogether as her money woes get worse and the stress piles up on her?

Coronation Street airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8pm on ITV.