Coronation Street viewers were left reeling on Christmas Eve as a harrowing twist revealed that beloved character Carla Connor had fallen victim to a terrifying kidnap plot.
A Festive Nightmare Unfolds
In scenes that aired on 24th December 2025, the true fate of factory boss Carla Connor, played by Alison King since 2006, was shockingly unveiled. The episode, part of the world's longest-running TV soap, showed that Carla had not travelled to the Canary Islands as she had claimed. Instead, she was being held captive by the sinister Becky Swain.
The storyline has its roots in the relationship between Carla and Detective Sergeant Lisa Swain, a union fans dubbed 'Swarla'. Their romance was thrown into chaos when Lisa's wife, police officer Becky, returned from the dead after more than four years. Becky's death had been part of a corrupt police cover-up, and upon her return from Spain, she was determined to win Lisa back.
The Sinister Setup and a Christmas Betrayal
Becky had cunningly moved into the house at number six by claiming a gang was after her. Her plan seemed to advance when Carla announced her trip abroad. However, the Christmas Eve episode exposed Becky's deception. While Lisa believed she was exchanging loving voice notes with Carla, it was actually Becky using Carla's phone, having faked all the social media pictures of Carla on a beach.
The betrayal deepened when Becky, alone in the house with Lisa, manipulated her into sleeping together. Following the encounter, Becky coldly dismissed Carla, calling her "a tourist" who had "jumped off the bus". Unaware of the horror unfolding, Lisa later sent a heartfelt Christmas Eve message to Carla, professing her love and commitment.
A Chilling Discovery and a Dangerous History
The truth was revealed in a chilling sequence. The scene cut to Becky's flat, where she threw down Carla's phone. The camera then panned to a bound and gagged Carla Connor, visibly terrified. Becky kicked her and coldly ordered, "Get back in the closet, Carla," before slamming the door.
This is not the first time the resilient businesswoman has faced such peril. In 2010, she was held hostage by her late husband Tony Gordon in the Underworld factory fire. More recently, earlier this year, she was taken hostage by her brother, Rob Donovan, after he escaped from prison.
Fan Reaction and Future Predictions
Reacting to the dramatic twist, fans on platforms like Reddit predicted this could spell the end for several relationships and characters. Many believe there is no way back for Carla and Lisa after this betrayal. Some speculate that DS Lisa Swain's time on the cobbles may be over, with one fan stating they "can't see a way back for Lisa as a character in 2026".
Others criticised Lisa's behaviour, suggesting she wanted to "have her cake and eat it too" by enjoying Becky's presence while expecting Carla to accept it. The consensus is that even if Carla escapes her latest ordeal, the damage to 'Swarla' is irreparable.
Coronation Street continues to air on ITV1 and ITV X on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 8pm.
