Abi Webster's life is an emotional tinder box of self-destruction - and one usually ready to explode at any given point. She is Coronation Street's go-to character for a plethora of vulnerability, self-doubt, addiction, self-loathing, and grief-stricken sadness. It’s been a rocky road for Abi from the off and the only real calming effect on her life has been Kevin and Jack Webster. Having recently married, Kev and Abi seemed happy and were all set to embark on a glamping honeymoon.
However, this is soapland, and Abi’s secret one-night stand was revealed to Kevin, via his ex-wife Sally and a misbehaving Bluetooth. Corrie viewers know that she slept with solicitor Imran, following Seb’s murder trial, and she even had a pregnancy scare, just to add to the dramatics. It made for an interesting Christmas, and I was super surprised that she wasn't pregnant, actually, but disaster was averted. Imran has told Toyah he was unfaithful (but not who with) and following his recent discovery, Kevin presumes Abi had it away with her ex, Tez. Fuming with his new wife, Kevin has taken Jack away in the campervan and left Abi alone at home. In typical Abi style, she hits that self-destruct button again and embarks on drug-fuelled alcoholic oblivion.
Last night, we saw Kevin return home to find Abi and Dean cosy on the sofa, high on drink and drugs. Kevin orders Abi to pack her things and get out and then Dean steals Kevin’s garage keys. Abi races over to the garage to find Dean revving a customer’s car. She leaps in the passenger seat and makes a grab for the key, but Dean’s too quick and they’re soon careering down a country road in the stolen car. As Abi doubles over in pain, Dean stops the car. She crouches by the side of the road in agony. Dean races off leaving her alone and she calls for an ambulance.
Abi has been in addiction recovery for quite some time now. Will this latest relapse be her final undoing, or is this the pain she’s feeling, something more unexpected? As I say, this is soapland, so I think we can expect a twist or two…
Back at the beginning of February, I was lucky enough to join a Coronation Street press day on Zoom, to chat with actress Sally Carman to learn more about Abi’s latest (and most serious) self-destruction* ;
*Warning - this interview contains spoilers for tonight's episode. If you don't want to know now, please look away and read something else… you have been warned.
The secret about Abi’s one-night stand with Imran is yet to come out. Is Abi confident that she can use Tez as a smokescreen to ensure it stays that way?
‘I think she’s desperately trying to protect Imran, he’s engaged to Toyah now, and adopting Elsie, so she wants to stop this secret from getting out. In her stupid and immature way, she’s trying to do less damage in saying it was Tez. However, when the truth does come out, it’s actually only going to cause more upset and devastation’
Why has Abi hit self-destruction yet again? Seb’s birthday hits her hard, but surely she would have learnt something from her recent past!
‘In fairness to Abi, the truth is, she’s learning so much that she’s not dealing with everyday problems. These are life-changing events that are hitting her, and anyone would go under, anyone! She’s just climbing back up on her two feet after losing Seb and then this all happens, and it's too much for her. She doesn't know what to do. Instead, she does what she does know, which is self-destruction and she’s not thinking that Kev would come back and find her with Dean’
Abi is sitting in the stolen car with Dean but then has to get out as she’s doubled up in pain. Does she understand what is happening to her body?
‘Well, this is the brilliant thing about Abi. For all of the life-knocks, she’s such a fighter. In this instance, she’s got two choices, and she decided to fight and realises that she has to get to the hospital. It doesn't take her long to realise that she’s having contractions, she’s had three kids, but then is surprised that this is happening at all!!’
Why had Abi not noticed that she was six months pregnant?
‘She’d not noticed as she had no symptoms at all. She thought she was when she told Imran but then had her period. She then became preoccupied with all of her relationship problems, so it was pushed to the back of her mind. It didn't even occur to her that there could have been a pregnancy as there weren't any signs. Nothing’
Can you talk us through what happens, when Abi arrives at the hospital?
‘She gives a false name and is full of shame. She’s massively in shock and not thinking straight. Again, she’s reverting to what she knows. When her back’s against the wall, and she’s feeling all of these negative feelings - she panics. That's why she gives the false name, and she’s worried whether the police would be called and was emotionally overloaded and wasn't able to see the wood for the trees!'
How is Abi feeling when she goes into labour, she must know that the baby is being born prematurely?
‘Yes, she's absolutely terrified. Instinctively, she's really nurturing. If she’d had been brought up differently or had a different life experience, she would have been an amazing mother, and she still can be? Every time she gets the chance to embrace and be that person, something happens. She does have a desire but embraces it, and she’s high on drugs and can't see anything, complete distortion, and still too much for her, She doesn't know what to do’
She has the baby, a little boy, but then decides to do a runner! As you say, she is nurturing, so why does she leave the hospital and the baby behind?
‘I think it’s for the same reason that she gave up the twins, It’s because she doesn't believe she can look after him properly. From her point of view, she’s already failed the baby and he’s only just been born. She’s wrecked the start of his life, and in her head, she cant offer him anything. He’s been born too soon so she thinks that's probably to do with the drugs. She has no home, no job, and no prospects, so she decides to give him up’
Surprisingly, she heads back to Weatherfield. She’s in a terrible way medically, both physically and mentally. Does she have a plan, does she try to think this hasn't happened maybe - what is she thinking?
‘It's a bit of both. She's in huge denial and thinks she can just shut down and get away from it, by doing what she’s done before. She is clearly not thinking straight, she’s in a bad way and is out of her mind’
Thanks, Sally!!!
***
Soo, Abi unexpectedly gives birth to Imran’s baby and then flees the scene. Kevin doesn't know, Toyah doesn't know and more importantly, neither does Imran! Is Abi going to give up another child, or is the truth about her one-night stand with Imran going to come out? Little baby Alfie (named after Seb’s teddy bear) has a fight on his hands, and so do his Dad and Mum. I can't want to see how this pans out!!
Sally Carman’s palpable and phenomenal portrayal of this multi-faceted and multi-layered character never disappoints and Corrie is 100% correct to utilise her superb acting skills (it’s the same with Jane Danson). As we head towards a new Corrie TV schedule, they are starting it with a twist and this is going to be explosive stuff for a lot of Coronation Street residents.
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