Ross Wilkes (Ian Burfield) sabotages Fiz (Jennie McAlpine) and Tyrone Dobbs' (Alan Halsall) family film night in Coronation Street, forcing Tyrone to get drunk and sparking a row that puts a crack in their marriage.
Ross, Tyrone's long-lost biological father, has been a disruptive presence since arriving in Weatherfield in July, when Hope Stape (Isabella Flanagan) and Ruby Dobbs (Billie Naylor) staged an impromptu reunion in the Bistro. Previously, Ross slept with Tyrone's mum Cassie Plummer (Claire Sweeney) when she was underage, a fifteen-year-old homeless girl groomed into prostitution and addicted to heroin.
Ross's toxic influence on the family
Now that Cassie has gone, Fiz has started to suspect Ross isn't as nice as he seems. She already suspected Ross had something to do with Cassie's disappearance when she found Cassie's treasured family photograph in Ross's wallet. While Tyrone was quick to swallow his dad's lies, Fiz was not convinced but couldn't prove anything.
Coming between Tyrone and his dad is sure to have consequences for Fiz's relationship, as seen in next week's episodes when Ross's toxic influence threatens the one thing she treasures the most – her children. Ross calls at the garage and shows Tyrone the boxing gloves he's bought for little Dorin (Henry Nye Meller), pointing out it'll give him a chance to bond with his grandson. Later, Ross forces Dorin and Tyrone to have a go, but neither of them enjoy it.
Ruby's boxing dream and a row at the Rovers
Boxing strikes a chord with Ruby. However, when she's keen to take it up properly, Ross is disapproving. Ruby asks Tyrone for permission to pursue the sport, but Tyrone explains that it's not for girls and he wouldn't want her to get hurt. Hope calls Tyrone out for his sexism, so Tyrone backs down and agrees she can go.
Ross isn't going to take this lying down. Later in the Rovers, when Tyrone receives a text from Fiz asking him to pick up some popcorn for their film night, Ross tells him to ignore it, pockets the phone and forces Tyrone to have yet another pint. A few pints later, Tyrone returns home three sheets to the wind. Fiz is annoyed to see him sloshed and orders him to bed. When Tyrone reveals that Ross confiscated his phone, Fiz hits the roof. She confronts Ross and accuses him of sabotaging the family film night on purpose.
A line is crossed which puts a crack in Fiz and Tyrone's marriage – and it's unlikely to be the last.
