Coronation Street spoilers follow.
Note: The following article contains discussion of rape and sexual misconduct.
Coronation Street producer Iain MacLeod has updated fans on a previously-promised new storyline for Abi Webster.
Abi has faced a quieter year on the cobbles after the drama that surrounded her fight for custody of baby Alfie in 2022.
At the start of this year, MacLeod spoke about plans for a plot involving Abi "reconnecting with somebody from her past, who transpires to be the last possible person you'd expect to find in her backstory".
In an interview published in January, MacLeod teased: "That will cause a massive culture clash comedy. She meets somebody from her past she has a historical connection with, who is the polar opposite, so it's an odd couple story."
What to Read Next
Related: 14 huge Coronation Street spoilers for next week
At the time, MacLeod confirmed that the plot wouldn't air for a while, but it hasn't materialised at all this year.
Speaking in his latest interview about whether the story will still go ahead, MacLeod told Digital Spy and other press: "It's not gone away, but it's been pushed down the order somewhat.
"As often happens in shows like ours, you have pitches that you're going to play and then writers come in and pitch things that are similar but competing.
"Then my job is to go: 'Actually, these stories have some overlap. Which of them is it better to play strategically now? Which of them should we wait for?'
Related: Stephanie Davis finishes Coronation Street stint after affair storyline
"The Abi story that I alluded to got pushed aside. I won't tell you by which story, because then you could probably work out what the Abi story was!
"There was another story that came along. Actually, strategically, it made more sense to do that one first. So it's still there, but it's just not yet in the show."
One of Abi's main stories this year saw her briefly support Aaron Sandford after he raped Amy Barlow and lied about what had happened, but she regretted her choice when the mechanic's true nature was exposed.
More recently, Abi has befriended newcomer Cassie Plummer and jumped to her defence when drug dealer Dean was threatening her over an unpaid debt.
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.
Read more Coronation Street spoilers on our dedicated homepage
If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information from Rape Crisis England and Wales, who work towards the elimination of all forms of sexual violence and sexual misconduct, on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland’s helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.
Readers in the US are encouraged to contactRAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.
