Coronation Street’s Carl Webster star says he ‘dreamed’ as role in historic soap event confirmed
Jonathan Howard was confirmed among the stars set to be at the centre of the action as Corrie crosses over with Emmerdale
Coronation Street stars Jonathan Howard and James Cartwright(Image: Jonathan Howard Instagram)
Coronation Street star Jonathan Howard said he ‘dreamed’ of the long-running show crossing over with its Yorkshire counterpart Emmerdale as he was confirmed among the stars set to be at the centre of the action.
Fans will recall that the actor joined the ITV soap earlier this year in the role of Carl Webster. The character’s arrival in Weatherfield is the first time viewers had ever seen him, with the younger half-sibling of Kevin and Debbie Webster having only been mentioned by name previously.
Carl made his arrival as he was involved in a minor collision in Frescho’s car park with Abi Wester, who he didn’t know is his sister-in-law. He quickly took a shine to the mechanic, despite her anger, and even hit him in the face.
There was clearly a spark between the pair, but they went their separate ways. Later, Abi was shocked to see Carl arrive at the Bistro, with Kevin and Debbie excited to see their little brother. And soon, an affair unravelled, leading to the end of Abi and Kevin’s marriage, and a fracture in the Webster family.
As 2026 gets underway, Carl’s scheming could be exposed as Debbie and Ronnie Bailey tie the knot. Spoilers have confirmed that Abi finds a bag full of cash in the boot of Carl’s car but when they pull up at the hotel, Abi opens the boot and discovers the bag is gone. Finding Kevin outside, Abi reveals she thinks Carl is planning to do a runner, leaving him incandescent.
Eventually having made her grand entry, Debbie senses the tension between Kevin and Carl, Debbie orders them to pack it in. As the wedding gets underway, and Debbie performs with the dementia choir, will Carl and Kevin be able to keep their promise or is their feud about to ruin Debbie and Ronnie’s dream day?
Kevin and Abi Webster will feature in Corriedale(Image: ITV)
But it’s now been confirmed that Carl, Debbie, Abi and Kevin will all be involved when disaster strikes and a dark and stormy road near the village of Hotten during Corrie and Emmerdale’s historic crossover episode, Corriedale.
It has previously been confirmed that one night changes everything, as a multi-vehicle pile-up will be at the centre of the drama. In a new trailer, the aftermath of the multiple vehicle smash sees Kit Green (Jacob Roberts) takes control of the situation whilst a frantic Carla Connor (Alison King) can be seen trying to calm someone down.
Injured Shona and David Platt (Julia Goulding and Jack P Shepherd) are tended to at the roadside by Emmerdale paramedic Jacob Gallagher (Joe-Warren Plant), whilst Corrie’s own trainee paramedic Asha Alahan (Tanisha Gorey) shares the screen with Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) as she tries to help more casualties.
Jonathan got to see the upcoming Corriedale episode early with his co-stars(Image: Jonathan Howard Instagram)
Both shows have pregnant women caught up in the drama, Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) can be seen trying to help a screaming Shona in a scene in Hotton General Hospital. And as the trailer draws to a close Kevin and Abi Webster (Michael Le Vell and Sally Carman-Duttine) search for Debbie at the crash site, while a desperate Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) screams out for Aaron in the darkness alongside Joe Tate (Ned Porteous).
But the trailer does feature a shot of Carl, who has seemingly found himself in a bad way as he lay in a hospital bed. Following watching the episode for the first time during a premiere on Tuesday (December 16) in Bradford, Jonathan shared a few words on social media about the event and what’s ahead for fans.
Alongside pictures of him enjoying the premiere with his co stars – including James Cartwright (Theo Silverton), Jason Callender (James Bailey), Jacob Roberts (Kit Green) and Julia Goulding (Shona Platt), Jonathan shared on Instagram: “#corriedale coming to a screen near you very soon… .
“Very proud to be a part of this historical soap event. As a teenager in Lancashire growing up watching both of these iconic shows I remember dreaming about the possibility of the two worlds colliding. And it did. Albeit 25 years later and it just so happens that I’m on the show at the time of doing it. What a dream. Manifestation works… It just takes time! A seriously impressive TV event. Congrats #CoronationStreet #Emmerdale #ITV @iain.macleod.5070 and @director_duncan.
“All of the Emmerdale cast and crew were a delight and it was so much fun being on location in the Yorkshire Dales with my teammates from Corrie. It’s been a great experience from start to finish. Merry Christmas everyone. Hope you all enjoy it as much as I did!”
