CORONATION Street fans have raged at bosses for being ‘disrespectful’ as they ‘replace’ a beloved star before he’s even left the soap.
The Sun exclusively revealed how former Hollyoaks star Jacob Roberts had joined the ITV soap as police detective, Christopher Green.
In last night’s episode, it was revealed that Christopher – or Kit as he likes to be called – is actually Bernie Winter’s long lost son.
Bernie had given her son Zodiac up for adoption when he was born and his name was changed to Christopher.
Bernie has been trying to find her son and paid a visit to a man with the same name and of the right age, but he denied being the person she was looking for.
However, after Bernie left it was revealed that Kit was in fact her son and Coronation Street spoilers have highlighted that their paths will cross again very soon.
The revelation comes as Bernie’s other son, Paul Foreman, continues to battle with his MND diagnosis.
Paul, who has been a character on the show since 2018, was diagnosed last year and is now using an electric wheelchair and will have a feeding tube fitted this week.
But some Corrie fans have been left unhappy by Kit’s arrival at the same time as Paul deteriorates further.
Taking to X – formerly Twitter – one raged: “Is it just me who thinks this is really bad and a little disrespectful timing because Paul is about to die and now they’re bringing in a secret son for Bernie.
“It really does feel like they’re trying to replace Paul.”
Another tweeted: “Replacing paul immediately wow.”
A third added: “It feels like Bernie already looking a replacement son.”
Speaking about his new role and finding out he would be Bernie’s secret son, Jacob said: “I was very shocked because I know Bernie has already got a big family, so to be a part of that family is great but I was surprised.
“I didn’t know how well I would fit in because Kit is nothing like that family, but I do think he’s been a good addition and created a new and exciting dynamic.”
Teasing details of his character, he added: “I do think he is going to be a very misunderstood character at first.
“He’s been really hurt throughout his life and although he has a good heart, he has some deep rooted resentment with his biological mum, which will be really interesting to play out.”
Coronation Street's shock exits 2024
Corrie has said goodbye to several cast members this year. Let's break down who's left the famous soap:
Eliza Woodrow (Savannah Kunyo) has said farewell to Corrie to start a new life in Germany.
The youngster moved to live with her dad Dom Everett, who went back on the £10,000 bribe Eliza’s grandfather Stu had offered to keep him out of her life.
Paul Foreman will bow out of the soap this summer when he loses his fight with motor neurone disease (MND) in tragic scenes.
After being diagnosed last year, the fan favourite, portrayed by Peter Ash, was devastated to learn he only had months left to live.
Viewers know he is planning to take his own life to end his suffering.
Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) departed the cobbles after being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to study in America.
Though she struggled to decide with her stepdad Paul’s impending death from MND, she was convinced she had to live her life to the full.
Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) has struggled with the sudden departure of his father Peter from the cobbles.
The Weatherfield legend left his family and loved ones behind on Boxing Day, 2023, when his wife Carla Connor encouraged him to travel around the world with a friend.
Simon’s been on a downward spiral ever since and his exit could end in tragedy.
Alya Nazir is set to leave the cobbles as actress Sair Khan prepares to go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her first child.
It looks likely she’ll be heading to Dublin after securing a lucrative new job, leaving her colleague and fling Adam Barlow behind.
Show stalwart Eileen Grimshaw is taking a break to star in the Sister Act The Musical UK tour.
She’s had to leave the Street immediately after her son Jason broke his back after falling off a moped in Asia. She will be back filming in May once her dates on the tour come to an end.
Coronation Street airs on ITV1 and is available on ITVX.