‘Coronation Street’ will feature some "really nasty" gun violence next week when Peter Barlow is shot in the chest.
The former Rovers Return landlord – played by Chris Gascoyne – will be caught in the crossfire when gang leader Tyler Jefferies (Will Barnett), who previously attacked Flora McArdle (Eileen Davies), fires a shot from a car following a fracas with Peter’s son Simon Barlow (Alex Bain).
Chris said: "This has been hanging over them for months and he knows Simon is not safe with Tyler out for revenge. Things turn really nasty this week when Peter gets caught in the crossfire, literally.
"Tyler’s mates have a gun and they fire out of a car window, Peter is hit in the chest and Carla is hysterical."
Peter and Carla have become close again in recent weeks after he offered to be her investor so she can buy the factory back, and they ended up kissing, but she insisted there was nothing to it.
But when Carla sees Peter has been shot, Michelle Connor (Kym Marsh) realises her best friend might have feelings for the former bookie again.
Chris said: "Michelle certainly reads that into it, but whether Carla admits it is another matter."
The ITV soap will also revisit the affair between Peter and late character Tina McIntyre – who was played by former ‘Corrie’ star Michelle Keegan – next week when Carla, who Peter cheated on with the barmaid, sets out to see if he has changed by setting him a test at the factory.
Peter will be "taken aback" when she asks him to interview a Tina lookalike for a job to see if he has changed his ways.
Chris explained: "Although Carla has made it clear that she is purely in business with Peter, and nothing else, other people are very doubtful of the whole situation. Carla is keen to see if Peter is still easily swayed.
"She is interviewing for a new machinist and is struck by how much like Tina one of the applicants is so she decides to let Peter interview her and see how he handles it, she is testing whether or not he has changed. He is a bit taken aback and doesn’t know it is a test but will he pass the test? You will have to wait and see."