BRIAN Packham recently welcomed his Italian cousin in the cobbles and gets to form a bond with her this week.
But much like any newcomer settling in Coronation Street, it’s clear she’s hiding something. Here’s what you could expect this week.
What is Isabella up to?
Brian Packham welcomed his Italian cousin to the cobbles
1. New scam artist
Actress Flaminia Cinque joined the Corrie line-up as Brian Packham’s Italian cousin Isabella.
The snobbish owner of The Kabin played by Peter Gunn was adamant he’s of Italian heritage, despite Mary Taylor’s doubts, and he was over the moon when he seemed to be proven right.
Isabella reached out to him online, claiming she was ready to meet him, which prompted Brian to organise a trip to Italy.
His plans were thwarted when Isabella added she’d be making the journey to Weatherfield to meet him.
Brian’s distant relative arrived in Corrie ready to bond with him, and in scenes airing next week on ITV, Isabella is introduced to Glenda Shuttleworth (Jodie Prenger) and Bernie Winter (Jane Hazlegrove).
But something strange is clearly going when Glenda tries to engage Isabella in a conversation about Italy and she ignores both her and Mary (Patti Clare).
In the Bistro, however, Isabella seems to perk up as she tells Brian they’ll party the Italian way.
Later on, Brian admires George Shuttleworth’s (Tony Maudsley) model of the Golden Hing and assures him he didn’t steal his maidenhead.
And when she’s annoyed by George’s seemingly cocky attitude, Isabella secretly super-glues the model ship to the table.
As a consequence Brian tries to lift George’s model off the table and a chunk snaps off in his hands.
George accuses Brian of gluing the ship to the table and in revenge, he locks Brian’s model ship in the hearse meaning neither of them can take part in the competition.
Isabella may be exposed as, in the Rivers, Mary notices her sticky fingers.
She then asserts that she can’t wait for Brian to visit her in Naples but she makes it clear that Mary isn’t welcome to join in.
In later scenes, Isabella calls in the café in tears and tells Brian that renovations at her flat have revealed subsidence, meaning it isn’t safe for her to return.
Could she be trying to isolate Brian in an attempt to get all the money she wants from him?
What is she really up to?
Is she even Brian’s cousin?
Could a simple allergy be the cause of Roy’s chest pains?
2. Surprise twist in Roy health storyline
Elsewhere in the cobbles, Roy Cropper’s health has taken a worrying turn and it gets worse this week.
The café owner played by David Neilson was recently seen in Dr Gaddas’ office after experiencing chest pains and viewers have been terrified for him.
Coming up, his niece Nina Lucas (Mollie Gallagher) reveals that he feels nervous over taking his new companion Freddie out for a walk.
This prompts Evelyn Plummer (Dame Maureen Lipman) to offer to accompany him.
The pair set off on their dog walk but Roy suffers terrible chest pains once again.
A worried Evelyn urges him to chase up his appointment with the heart specialist he was recommended to see – but will Roy really go through with it?
In later scenes, Roy walks Freddie through the precinct and the pup spots a cat before giving chase.
Roy is brought up short by the pain in his chest and Evelyn has no other choice but to call an ambulance.
Taking to social media, one fan theorised that Roy could be allergic to his new pup Freddie as his symptoms first showed up when he adopted the dog.
This could also explain why the little Shih Tzu’s owner Melvyn passed away suddenly in earlier scenes of the Manchester-based program – what if he was also allergic to Freddie?
One could speculate that Roy may be diagnosed with an allergy and find a new home for Freddie – in the form of Evelyn Plummer.
Evelyn was crushed when her previous pet Cerberus passed away after being fed an Eccles cake and it may be time for her to move on.
And with actress Maureen Lipman’s upcoming exit, she may be wanting to bond with her new dog Freddie during a trip away from Weatherfield.
Paul’s secrets catch up with him this week
3. Breakup hell for Paul
Meanwhile, Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) is loosing himself in lies as he not only has to face justice for stealing Rufus Donahue’s car but is also suffering from a life-shortening condition called motor neurone disease (MND).
The character was told that he may have less than three years to live and, in a desperate attempt to provide for his loved ones before it’s too late, turned to a life of crime which resulted in an arrest.
To top it all off, Paul’s twin sister Gemma Winter (Dolly-Rose Campbell) is getting married, leaving him worried about not being a part of her big day and concerned he could bring her more stress than necessary.
This week, Paul seems to have found a solution to the majority of his problems as he tells Dee-Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown) how he’s come across a new drug claiming to cure MND.
A hopeful Paul later visits the MND clinic hoping to discuss the new drug but his plans are thwarted.
Matters only grow increasingly harrowing for Paul when he realises there’s something with his right foot – but he hides it from his other half, Weatherfield vicar Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank).
Gemma then asks him if he’ll give her away at the wedding, which he agrees to, keeping his worries for the future and his health under wraps.
But when Jenny Connor (Sally Ann Matthews) talks through the plans for the stag and hen do with Paul, she notices he’s struggling with his right foot.
Later on, Dee-Dee accompanies Paul to his appointment with the MND nurse and he begs her to consider him to Tofersen treatment, convinced it could cure him.
Unfortunately for Paul, time is running and he’ll soon have no choice but to open up to Billy.
Paul Foreman (portrayed by Peter Ash) is loosing himself in lies as he not only has to face justice for stealing Rufus Donahue’s car but is also suffering from a life-shortening condition called motor neurone disease (MND).
The character was told in previous scenes of the ITV soap that he may have less than three years to live and, in a desperate attempt to provide for his loved ones before it’s too late, turned to a life of crime which resulted in an arrest.
To top it all off, Paul’s twin sister Gemma Winter (Dolly-Rose Campbell) is getting married, leaving him worried about not being a part of her big day and concerned he could bring her more stress than necessary.
Coming up next week, however, Paul seems to have found a solution to the majority of his problems as he tells Dee-Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown) how he’s come across a new drug claiming to cure MND.
A hopeful Paul later visits the MND clinic hoping to discuss the new drug but his plans are thwarted.
Matters only grow increasingly harrowing for Paul when he realises there’s something with his right foot – but he hides it from his other half, Weatherfield vicar Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank).
Gemma then asks him if he’ll give her away at the wedding, which he agrees to, keeping his worries for the future and his health under wraps.
But when Jenny Connor (Sally Ann Matthews) talks through the plans for the stag and hen do with Paul, she notices he’s struggling with his right foot.
Could she tell Billy what’s going on?
Or could she convince Paul to come clean?
This remains to be seen but in later scenes, Dee-Dee accompanies Paul to his appointment with the MND nurse and he begs her to consider him to Tofersen treatment, convinced it could cure him.
Unfortunately for Paul, time is running and he’ll soon have no choice but to open up to Billy.
With so many secrets kept from him, there’s a high chance Billy may choose to end his relationship with Paul due to his trust being severely broken.
But eventually, as Paul faces an early death, Billy may come round, forgiving him and spending his final moments in his company.
How will it all play out?
Coronation Street airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8pm on ITV.
