Coronation Street spoilers follow for the latest episode to air on ITV1 and stream on ITVX. This article also contains mention of domestic abuse that readers might find distressing.
Coronation Street has aired a big change for Lou Michaelis after her husband Mick was arrested for killing Craig Tinker.
Lou turned up for her shift at the salon at the start of tonight's episode and as Maria Connor and David Platt were busy with a customer, she swept up.
Maria approached her after the customer left and asked what she was doing. She said she came in to check what her upcoming shifts were and to try and be helpful while she waited, only for Maria to shoot her down.
"You don't have any shifts. Because you're fired," she said, causing Lou to angrily insult them and storm out.
Related: Best film and TV tours for 2025
What to Read Next
She then went to the Rovers and tried to talking to Maria's husband Gary Windass, but he wasn't interested.
"What did I ever do to you, eh? Exactly. Nowt," she said.
"It were Mick that gave you that kicking, not me. And I'm sorry for that, but guess what? He gave me hundreds, and I've got the scars to prove it."
When her card declined (much to Glenda Shuttleworth's amusement), Gary decided to take pity on her, bought her a pint and sat with her.
"Let's just say I've been where you are now. More than once," he said.
Maria came in and, as soon as she saw Gary with Lou, she demanded her husband come home with her immediately for a chat.
Kit Green came in shortly after and had a go at Lou for "idolising" people like Mick and for letting son Brody do the same, teasing he has a plan to ruin Mick's 'hard man' reputation in prison.
Related: Coronation Street confirms Jason's messy romantic twist
Back at Gary and Maria's flat, she accused Lou of trying to hit on him, but Gary stood up for her.
"We were just talking!" he insisted. "Look, I know that she can be a nightmare. But Mick was knocking her about, and now she's gotta bring up three kids on her own. I just think the least we can do is cut her a bit of slack, and do you think the kids should be punished as well?"
Maria refused to relent, saying she wouldn't have married Mick in the first place if she was in Lou's shoes. Gary realised he was getting nowhere, so went out.
Maria went back to the salon to complain to David some more, stating Lou is just as bad as Mick. He pointed out that Lou's not murdered anyone, and by Maria's own logic, she's as bad as Gary for all the things he's done in the past.
Related: Coronation Street reveals Dee-Dee's new baby shock as character returns
Gary eventually returned to the flat with Maria's favourite wine to find she'd cooked his favourite meal. They both apologised to each other and Maria revealed that she'd given Lou her job back.
Meanwhile, Lou received a call from Mick in a hospital bed, who been beaten to a pulp in prison (secretly organised by Kit).
He asked her to come visit him and said he still loved her, and she agreed...
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 any of the issues raised in this story, organisations including Refuge and Women's Aid can provide further support and information. The 24-hour, freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247.
The US National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or text LOVEIS to 22522.
