When Gary Windass has a heart to heart with Nicola Rubenstein the pair end up locking lips. But will it go any further than simply a kiss?

Gary Windass is a man on the edge. His mysterious trips to the Ukraine are taking their toll, and while his girlfriend Sarah is delighted to have him back home this week, he won't open up to her about his perilous work abroad. But it seems he's prepared to confide in Nicola. And when she invites him back to No. 11 it's not long before the pair are sharing a steamy smooch. But will it go any further?

As Gary and Nicola connect over a glass of wine, one thing leads to another…

As Gary and Nicola connect over a glass of wine, one thing leads to another…

Sarah, meanwhile, is shocked to return home and find Mel in her kitchen

Bethany explains that they need to get Mel on side to help bring Nathan to justice

Trying to get to the bottom of Gary's problems, Sarah challenges him about his volatile behaviour…

…but he just storms off in a huff

When Nicola encounters him, she invites him back to No. 11! It can only lead to trouble

Sure enough, they are soon opening a bottle of wine and finding they have much in common

Then things turn steamy – but how far will the pair go? Watch the drama unfold on Coronation Street from Monday 25 September

Sarah Platt is relieved when Gary Windass comes home to Weatherfield but star Tina O’Brien’s not sure they can kiss and make up…

Sarah Platt dumped Gary Windass when he went to the Ukraine to do well-paid yet extremely dangerous security work, even though she’d begged him not to go. Now he’s home in Coronation Street, but is their relationship back on?

“While Gary’s been away, Sarah’s not been able to switch off her feelings,” actress Tina O’Brien explained to Soaplife. "She just wants to know he’s safe…”

And she gets her wish when he turns up at her parents’ support group…

How does Sarah feel when Gary walks into the support group session? “She’s feeling really nervous, especially as everyone else seems to be with their partners. So when Gary walks in, she’s caught off guard. Initially, she’s quite frosty. But as she opens up about what happened to Bethany, she allows him to comfort her. She needs his support. Then, as he talks about how he feels about her, she realises she doesn’t want to be without him.”

How would Sarah feel if she knew Gary had come home covered in bruises? “Devastated. She said it was over when he left, but she can’t stop loving him. She’s been worried sick while he’s been away.”

How does she react when Gary’s then offered more work in the Ukraine? “When Gary tells her this and that he intends to accept, Sarah is gobsmacked. She hates him doing this work and she can’t accept his decision to go back. It puts a real strain on their relationship.”

Then he pushes her away when she suggests an afternoon lie-down… “Sarah’s really disappointed when Gary pulls away from her, but he makes an excuse about needing to spend some time with his son, Jake, and she accepts that. But as the days go on, his behaviour’s a bit strange. Sarah’s confused, but she tries to brush it off because she doesn’t want to spoil the time they have together.”

After everything that’s happened, how devastated would she be if things fell apart with Gary? “She’d be gutted. She’s been through a lot over the last few years, but come out fighting, and her relationship with Gary is one positive that’s come from it all. He’s been there for her when she’s needed him and I think they genuinely love each other. But I don’t know how much more Sarah can take if Gary keeps accepting this highly dangerous work.”

Coming up in Corrie, Gary Windass returns from the Ukraine and is reunited with Sarah… He's hiding secret injuries, but will he be tempted to return?

Sarah Platt couldn't handle it when boyfriend Gary Windass took a job in the Ukraine in Coronation Street. She feared for his safety when he left, so she's relieved when he returns to the Street apparently safe and well.

But Gary has a secret – he was injured in Ukraine, and he gets an offer to go back!

Over at the Metcalfe house, Sally gets tough and says something that angers her sister, Gina Seddon, who decides to get back at her… What's Gina got in mind? And will she go too far? Find out what else is happening...

Secretly nursing an injury he suffered while working in the Ukraine, Gary reunites with Sarah… But will he be able to resist returning to the danger zone?

Secretly nursing an injury he suffered while working in the Ukraine, Gary reunites with Sarah… But will he be able to resist returning to the danger zone?

Earlier, Sarah's taken aback to see Gary when she attends the parents’ support group following daughter Bethany's traumatic sex ring ordeal.

Sarah talks candidly about how she feels she let Bethany down and Gary offers some heartfelt words…

Gary promises Sarah that from now on he’ll be there for her and she thaws towards him.

Later, after breaking the news that he's accepted another job in the Ukraine, Gary assures Sarah, mum Anna and Izzy that his job isn't dangerous. He's lying, of course, as his bruised back and ribs testify… Will they be placated?

Elsewhere, Sally's cross with sister Gina for lying to her and accuses her of hiding behind her bipolar condition when it suits her.

Seething, Gina borrows Sally’s laptop, making out she’s going to sell her bric-a-brac online… But what is her real intention?

Meanwhile, Rosie comes to the aid of Gemma, who's being victimised online by Zoe and Roxy… Will Rosie scare them off?

At the Bistro, Will offers to give the restaurant a revamp when Robert reads a review in which they refer to him as Nick…

Robert gratefully accepts his offer of help, but does Michelle's secret stalker have a sinister motive?

Having got back on good terms with David, Shona joins the Platts for a barbecue… Will Gail ruin any chance of their relationship going further?

Elsewhere, Gemma is worried by Rita's increasingly odd behaviour. Is she showing signs of dementia?Watch Coronation Street on ITV from Monday, August 28

When Gary discovers his mum Anna's appalling injuries came about as a result of David's murder mission, he goes berserk in Corrie!

When Anna suffered appalling burns as a result of the explosive Corrie car crash last month, Gary was horrified. But his horror turns to anger when his girlfriend Sarah reveals that David – who was driving the petrol-soaked vehicle that crashed – was on his way to kill Clayton at the time.

Unable to contain his rage, Gary confronts the startled crimper. But will his violent outburst cost him his blossoming relationship with David's sister, Sarah?

In the wake of Sarah's revelation, Gary storms into the salon and attacks David

In the wake of Sarah's revelation, Gary storms into the salon and attacks David

The assault comes shortly after Sarah reveals that David was on his way to kill Clayton when he crashed his car

Gary can't handle the fact that David is responsible for his mum Anna's injuries…

…and Sarah can only watch in horror as Gary dishes out a beating to her brother

Will she decide to side with David or her boyfriend?

It looks like Gary is no mood to keep David's secret. Will he expose him and risk his relationship?

Watch the story unfold on Corrie on ITV from Monday, November 14

Gary Windass is in the firing line when Sarah finds out her daughter has been taking dodgy diet pills in Corrie

Bullied into thinking she's overweight, Sarah's troubled daughter Bethany has secretly resorted to taking diet pills in a bid to lose both pounds and her tormentors in Corrie.

A concerned Gary found out about the youngster's battle with a non-existent weight problem when she collapsed in the gym, but Bethany has managed to keep her pill-popping from her mum. Until now, that is...

Upbeat as her friendship with Gary deepens, Sarah's mood darkens when she makes a shocking find…

Upbeat as her friendship with Gary deepens, Sarah's mood darkens when she makes a shocking find…

Stumbling across some of Bethany's diet pills, Sarah demands answers from her daughter

Bethany has no choice but to come clean, and when she reveals that Gary knew what was going on, Sarah's furious!

As Sarah rails at Gary for keeping quiet, he explains that he was only trying to help Bethany

As the pair row, is their blossoming romance over before it had barely begun? Find out on Corrie from Monday, October 10 on ITV

While trying to help out Izzy, Gary is arrested for drug dealing in Corrie

Coronation Street actress Sair Khan has been hinting at what will happen when her character, Alya, tells fiancé Gary that she cheated on him in next week’s episodes…

“Alya’s been really feeling the pressure about keeping the secret of what she’s done with Jason [Ryan Thomas],” says Sair. “She made a massive mistake. She wants to marry Gary [Mikey North]. She really loves him. She just wants to run away and forget everything.”

But she doesn’t. A shock development with her grandparents force her to stay and confess all.

“It looks like Gary’s on board with Alya’s plans to elope but then the Nazirs come in with a big bombshell: Sharif [Marc Anwar] offers Gary a percentage share in the gym!,” Sair reveals.

Sharif shocks Gary by offering him a share in the family business

“This just adds to the pressure on Alya and she decides she needs to tell Gary. There’s no more hiding - the truth will out,” adds Sair.

Gary thinks Alya’s upset because she believes he’ll fail at the gym…

“I swear I’m going to make a go of it,” he tells Alya.

“It’s not you,” Alya sobs.

Yep, that old line…

“I slept with someone,” Alya blurts out.

A tearful, fearful Alya confesses to Gary

“Gary can’t believe it,” says Sair. “It’s the last thing he expects… And he goes back to the old Gary Windass.”

The one with a violent temper…

“And he explodes,” Sair confirms.

Gary's furious and has just one question: "Who was it?"

“Alya tries to apologise but all Gary wants to know is: who was it?”

Tune in to Coronation Street on ITV, Thursday, October 29, to find out how Alya answers Gary’s question.

There’s heartbreak on Coronation Street when Alya tells Gary she cheated on him. Mikey North tells Soaplife what happens…

Gary Windass loves fiancée Alya Nazir so much that he even gave up his ale for her. But when Alya reveals she cheated on him we’re thinking he’ll jump right off the wagon and go after the other man…

“When Alya confesses to being unfaithful Gary’s absolutely blown out of the water with shock,” says Mikey. “Never for one second has he ever suspected that Alya’s even looked at another man and it’s the last thing he expected."

Tell us how Alya’s confession comes about?

“She’s been keen to get married fast and Gary’s been a bit baffled by this. Then Alya [Sair Khan] suddenly suggests they elope. It’s like she’s making rash decisions out of the blue. Gary puts it down to the impact of losing her dad, but then she comes out with her confession.”

Does he want to know who she slept with?

“Of course! But she refuses to tell him. That’s bad enough but the fact she’s been unfaithful at all feels like an even bigger betrayal. She’s always stood by her beliefs and he was more than prepared to wait to sleep with her until they were married.”

Alya says she did it because she was grieving for her father, Kal (Jimi Mistry). What does Gary make of this?

“He’s so devastated by what she’s just told him that he almost can’t hear what she’s saying to him. All he can think about is her betrayal and how much he needs to know who she slept with.”

How would he react if he knew it was Jason (Ryan Thomas)?

“It would be like the end of the world to him. To find out that Alya had been unfaithful with his best friend - who Gary’s just asked to be his best man - would absolutely finish him. I don’t think he’d be able to cope with that.”

Then Gary drops his own bombshell, doesn’t he?

“Yes. He tells Alya’s grandparents and brother what she did. In that moment, Gary doesn’t feel bad about shaming her because he’s driven by anger and hurt. He wants Alya to feel the same kind of hurt he’s feeling.”

Does Gary have any idea who Alya might have slept with?

“No. He’s so angry she won’t tell him. And there’s plenty more drama to come.”

Coronation Street, ITV

Photos of an all-new love triangle in Coronation Street

Coronation Street’s David Neilson reveals to Soaplife how Roy comes out swinging with a cricket bat when someone breaks into the cafe - not realising it’s Gary Windass!

Roy Cropper’s supposed to be going to Carla’s on Boxing Night, but instead he’s home alone because he’s worried about the gang of teens hanging around outside the cafe. So when he hears something downstairs, he thinks one of them has broken in. Arming himself with his cricket bat, Roy creeps downstairs. “He sees a figure wearing a hoodie and a red mist descends - someone’s in his space and he doesn’t think twice about hitting the intruder over the head,” David  tells Soaplife. Then he realises he’s beating Gary...

Why didn’t Roy call the police instead of lashing out?

“It’s a split-second thing and calling the police doesn’t enter his head. He’s in the middle of the situation and it’s an instinctive reaction to lash out.”

How does Roy realise it’s Gary (Mikey North) he’s attacking?

“They spill out onto the street. Sinead [Katie McGlynn] sees what’s happening and she yells at Roy to stop. The sound of her voice breaks through the red mist and he stops. The person on the ground rolls over and Roy sees it’s Gary.”

What happens next?

“The police are called and Roy’s in total shock as he realises what’s done. It’s like a Jekyll and Hyde moment. He’s dazed as he tries to make sense of what he’s done.”

Is Roy ashamed?

“He is acutely embarrassed, shocked and, yes, ashamed. He has let himself down and feels he’s let Hayley down, too. He was just minding his own business and suddenly there he is in a police cell. He’s very frightened, too. He realises he’s capable of killing someone and he never thought he would be.”

How does he cope with being questioned by the police?

“He tries to remember what happened and get some clarity. Some people would make excuses to make things easier for themselves, but not Roy. He wants to be locked up for what he's done to Gary.”

How badly hurt is Gary?

“He’s in hospital with his injuries but he’s not seriously hurt. Gary’s very generous towards Roy, considering. He doesn’t wish to press charges. Anna [Debbie Rush] does, though. Roy tells Anna exactly what happened and that he hit Gary repeatedly, even though Gary posed no threat to him. Once Anna hears this, Roy and Anna’s friendship disintegrates.”

It’s a very bleak start to 2015 for Roy!

“True, but the anger he’s been carrying around since Hayley died is lessened now he’s had this outpouring of emotion. He has grieved for 12 months and we may now start to see him come out of that.”

Coronation Street, ITV. Click here for dates and times.

Coronation Street’s Mikey North tells Soaplife how desperate Gary does something stupid that earns him a beating from Roy...

Gary Windass has had a bad year - and he’s not going to get any peace and goodwill at Christmas… “He’s devastated when Alya [Sair Khan] ends their relationship, gutted when Kal [Jimi Mistry] gives his job to Owen, is rowing with Izzy [Cherylee Houston] about Jake and even having words with his mum,” Mikey reveals to Soaplife.

And then, after a nightmarish Christmas Day, things unexpectedly turn violent when, sick with worry and shame, Gary does something really stupid: he tries to rob Roy (David Neilson)!

What makes Gary desperate enough to rob Roy’s?

“He’s broken Faye’s headphones that she got for Christmas and is desperate for money to replace them, but no one will lend him any. Gary’s mind goes into overdrive - he just knows he needs to do something, anything, to make things right. He spies Anna’s cafe keys and pockets them before he can talk himself out of it.”

But Roy catches him, doesn’t he?

“Gary’s overheard Roy saying he’s going to see Carla [Alison King] on Boxing night and so Gary thinks the cafe will be empty. He doesn’t realise Roy has slipped back in to avoid the teenagers who are hanging around outside. So when he lets himself in, he has no clue Roy is still there. Roy obviously assumes one of the teenagers has broken in and, because he’s frightened, feels he has to protect himself. Roy lashes out with a cricket bat and he doesn’t realise he’s hitting Gary.”

Gary’s badly hurt, isn’t he?

“Gary has to be taken to hospital. He’s injured with a lot of bruises, but he will recover.”

Will he hate Roy for what he’s done?

“No. He wants to protect Roy and he thinks this is all his own doing. Gary resorted to desperate measures and was prepared to rob a family friend. He feels the lowest of the low.”

Coronation Street, ITV. Click here for dates and times

Coronation Street’s Sair Khan tells Soaplife what happens when her dad, Kal, finds out she’s been secretly dating Gary… and it’s not good!

Just before Alya tells her family about her relationship with Gary, her dad and gran practically catch them at it! “Alya and Gary meet at number six as Gary still has a key, and have enjoyed a romantic, candle-lit fish and chip supper. They start getting very cosy - and then Kal and his mother walk in on them,"  Sair tells Soaplife...

What does Alya do?

“Well, as far as she’s concerned, they were going to tell them anyway. She tells her family she and Gary [Mikey North] have been seeing each other secretly and they want to be together.”

But Kal (Jimi Mistry) isn't happy, is he?

“He’s absolutely fuming. Kal sees his precious daughter with his old army mate and can’t stand it. He lashes out and hits Gary. He doesn’t consider Alya and Gary might be in love.”

What about Yasmeen (Shelley King)?

“She’s hurt and upset, but that’s more about the betrayal and lies. Alya’s her golden child and she’s disappointed in her.”

What happens next?

“Kal bans Alya from seeing Gary, taking no notice of Alya as she tries to convince her family how happy she and Gary are.”

Does Alya obey him?

“As much as she wants to be with Gary, she starts feeling broken down by family pressure and you see her beginning to surrender to them.”

But she’s an adult!

“Yes, but family is at the root of everything for her and they absolutely don’t approve of Gary. There are so many reasons why they feel this way - Gary has had a child with another woman, he has no job or career prospects, and he isn’t Muslim, which bothers her grandparents more than her dad who is, after all, with a non-Muslim himself - Leanne [Jane Danson].”

Are Alya and Gary meant to be together?

“Absolutely! But they have more problems to overcome first. Things get even worse when Kal gives Gary’s building job at the gym to Owen [Ian Puleston-Davies]… This has all kinds of repercussions over the Christmas period and we’ll see the dynamics of Alya and Gary changing again.”

Coronation Street, ITV. Click here for dates and times.

Photos of the big storyline in Coronation Street

Coronation Street’s Sair Khan reveals to Soaplife that Alya gives up fighting her feelings for Gary.

Alya’s been keeping her relationship with Gary strictly friendly since she discovered, the morning after their night together, that he was with Izzy and has a son. But now that Gary and Izzy have split, Alya’s happy to spend more time with him. “There’s still this attraction - there’s something between them that should be explored and Alya knows that," Sair tells Soaplife. And so she goes exploring!

Does Gary (Mikey North) like Alya as much as she likes him?

“His feelings probably develop in the same way as hers do when they start to spend time together. She gets the vibe that he fancies her, but she likes the way he’s got a mind of his own. They are very similar in a way - they have the same humour and don’t take any crap from anyone, or from each other.”

What’s stopping them getting together?

“It’s mainly to do with Alya’s family. Gary’s supposed to be the best friend of Alya’s dad, Kal [Jimi Mistry], for one. He’s not just some random man, he’s a man her dad knows very well. The fact he’s got a child and has just come out of a relationship would probably trouble some members of her family and it’s probably not what they’d want for her. Alya’s family no doubt see her being with someone from a similar background.”

How do they end up kissing?

“Alya’s brother Zeedan [Qasim Akhtar] gets on with Gary and invites him round for dinner. They sit next to each other and things are heating up between them. The chemistry is just so evident. He goes to leave but forgets his jumper so Alya runs after him to give it him back. They’re suddenly alone and it just feels right.”

How does Alya feel afterwards?

“She snaps back to reality, realises they’ve kissed in the street and quickly leaves. After that she starts to question how right the kiss was… The next day, for instance, she sees Gary with Izzy [Cherylee Houston] and Jake, and it makes her think that maybe they’re not suited. Gary’s a father yet she’s only just come out of university.”

Do you think they make a good couple?

“I’d like to think they would! There’s a lot going against them, but there’s so much chemistry between them, maybe that would be enough.”

Coronation Street, ITV. Click here for times and dates.

Coronation Street’s Mikey North tells Soaplife why Gary feels it’s just not working for him and Izzy any more…

Gary and Izzy haven’t been good for a while, but things are about to get a lot worse. “They go out for a drink and realise there’s just no future for them, they’ve drifted apart and no longer enjoy spending time together - it’s awful, but slightly easier because they seem to feel the same,” Mikey tells Soaplife. But will Izzy (Cherylee Houston) be quite so philosophical about the split when she finds out Gary spent the night with Kal’s daughter, Alya (Sair Khan)?

What caused things to fall apart between Gary and Izzy?

“The Phelan thing, I suppose. The problems between Gary and Owen, Anna and Owen’s split, the fact Izzy didn’t tell Gary about Anna sleeping with Phelan, money worries… But trust has been an issue since the Gary and Tina thing before Jake was born.”

And now there’s the Gary and Alya thing…

“Gary and Alya sparked the moment they met. Gary was excited and having fun - for the first time in ages. The drinks flowed, one thing led to another and they spent the night together - although nothing happened.”

Did this make him realise how bad things had got between him and Izzy?

“In some ways. Gary doesn’t want to hurt Izzy, but he can’t remember the last time he had that much fun with her. He and Alya didn’t actually sleep together, but he knows Izzy would be upset to discover he’d spent the night with another woman.”

So he doesn’t want her to know about Alya? 

“No. He doesn’t want to hurt Izzy. He also doesn’t want Alya to think she’s the reason they have split up.”

But that’s exactly what she does think, isn’t it?

“Yes. Alya thinks she’s helping when she tells Izzy nothing happened during their night together. Gary’s pretty gutted, but he knows Alya didn’t do it on purpose. He was kind of hoping it would never be found out, but as it’s Weatherfield, nothing stays secret for long!”

How does Izzy take it?

“She’s shocked. They had agreed to keep things amicable for Jake’s sake and Izzy had told Gary there was no rush about him moving out. Now she tells him he should move out much sooner rather than later. It turns their amicable split slightly sour.”

Could there be a future for Gary and Alya?

“Who knows? He’s only just broken up with Izzy so I’m not sure where his head’s at…”

Coronation Street’s new cast member, Sair Khan, tells Soaplife that her character Alya is not the kind of girl to steal another woman’s man…

New Weatherfield arrival Alya Nazir is in for a surprise. She’s just started working behind the reception of her dad’s gym when she sees the man she’s just spent the night with pumping iron. “It’s Gary who Alya ended up with, having met him in a club as she celebrated leaving uni,” Sair tells Soaplife. “They started flirting, having fun, and one thing led to another.”

Does Alya know Gary’s got a girlfriend and child at home?

“No - she has no idea. If she’d had any inkling she never would have taken him home with her. There’s a real spark between them, which is why they spend the night together. But as Gary doesn’t tell Alya any different, she presumes he’s single.”

So it’s a huge shock when she sees him at the gym with his family?

“It’s a real jaw-to-the-floor moment for her. Alya’s angry. He should have told her the truth before. She’s not a maneater who goes with someone already in a serious relationship and who has a child. And just what’s he doing going after other women if he’s already spoken for?”

Exactly! What happens next?

“Well, she can’t completely avoid Gary. She’s working at the gym and he uses it. They’ll run into each other all the time. He begs her not to tell Izzy, but she will find out. She’s not best pleased, when she does but that’s all to come…”

What’s Alya like?

“She’s a textiles graduate who’s working for her dad over the summer. She’s family-orientated and understandably it devastated her when she lost her mum a few years ago. She isn’t that close to her dad because he was away in the Army when she was growing up, but she has a very close bond with her grandparents.”

Mikey North reveals to Soaplife how Gary makes a big mistake when he tries to kiss Tina, the woman carrying his baby in Coronation Street. Will Izzy find out? Oh, yes!

What on earth makes Gary come on to Tina?

"His Army mates see pictures of Tina and wind him up by saying that he fancies her… And he does - but hasn’t said it out loud. He doesn’t like it when his mates comment on her being pretty, which also tells him something about his own feelings… he’s jealous. On his way home, he sees Tina and Tommy arguing, goes up to Tina’s flat and makes his move."

But Tina knocks him back…

"She goes mad. She kicks off big style. I think she could see it coming because he was acting very strange and saying weird things to her, which made her feel uncomfortable."

Does Gary wish he was having this baby with Tina?

"He has no idea where his head’s at because there’s so much going on. Tina’s carrying his baby and he’s been looking after her and has become quite protective of her. But once he’s tried to kiss her I think he suddenly realises he does want to be with Izzy and he wants a family with her."

Good job, too, as Tina tells him to stay away from her. Can he do that?

"Yes, he knows he has no choice but to keep his distance from her so that she doesn’t tell anyone. But she does tell Tommy… And Tommy’s only keeping quiet for Tina’s sake."

Izzy’s already jealous of the relationship between Gary and Tina...

"Gary starts to make more of an effort with Izzy to make himself feel better. But it’s only a matter of time before she finds out what happened…"

 Click here to see the storyline in pictures.

Gary shoots himself in the foot with his rash move, but will Izzy find out about his betrayal?

Gary struggles with Katy's secret and Izzy's stunned when he reveals he suspects Katy and Ryan of having an affair. Izzy orders him to do nothing while she speaks to Katy. But Gary can't contain himself and picks a fight with Ryan in the street. Witnessing the scene a confused Chesney suddenly realises what's been going on between Ryan and Katy!

Karl's plan to damage not just the pub's electrics, but Stella and Jason's relationship backfires when Stella announces that Jason's giving up the building trade to work behind the bar with her.

Dev offers Sunita a fresh start when he suggests they sell the house and businesses and make a fresh start somewhere nobody knows them. A shocked Sunita agrees to his plan.

Also, Sally's surprised when she finds Gail packing her bags, she wants to move out and is off flat-hunting. Sally hopes time flies and Gail finds somewhere quickly; when Toni reveals the Full Monty performance is off as all the firemen have food poisoning, Eileen sets about recruiting some local replacements!