Coronation Street‘s Carl Webster turns back to James Bailey next week after feeling rejected by Abi, his other secret lover. But as he juggles so many different plates, is he asking for trouble?

The Weatherfield charmer starts to look elsewhere for fun, as Abi shies away from any more shenanigans because she’s stressed over her estranged husband Kevin.

Abi recently left Kevin crushed by announcing that she wanted to end their relationship because she’s no longer in love with him.

They haven’t yet shared the news with Kevin’s teenage son Jack, so they spend the next few days keeping up appearances at home for his sake.

In next week’s scenes, Abi tells Carl that she’s not in the mood for sex, as she’s filled with dread about her upcoming birthday tea with Kevin and Jack.

Clearly disappointed, two-timing Carl secretly texts James instead.

“Carl wants to have his cake and eat it, too,” our Corrie source explains. “When Abi isn’t in the passionate mood, Carl booty-calls his bit on the side – he’s only interested in one thing.

“Abi was a real fool to leave dedicated hubby Kevin for his love-rat brother.”

Carl’s secret fling with James was first revealed to viewers last month, when they were seen in Carl’s hotel room together.

Viewers had previously seen Carl hire James as a personal trainer, but the sudden shift in their friendship took many viewers by surprise.

Jonathan Howard, who plays Carl, said at the time: “Carl likes living life on the edge, he is a hedonist and a free spirit, he is attracted to a person regardless of their gender and if he sees something he wants, he goes for it with no real thought to the consequences of his actions.

“He is frustrated that Abi has gone away with Kevin and he needs something to distract himself. There is a spark between him and James so he goes for it.

“Tracy was also offering herself to him but he isn’t stupid and he knows that would be a dangerous move. James on the other hand is less complicated and more fun.”