Coronation Street viewers in complete shock at Gail’s surprise exit

As Jan and Eileen chat in the street, Eileen can't help but notice a passing Paula appears to recognise him.

Later on when Eileen confronts Paula, she tells her she imagined it. But over at number 11, Liz has been doing some research into Jan, and has a worrying discovery to share with Eileen...

Over dinner that evening, Eileen confronts Jan over Liz's discovery but Jan is dismissive and says that the internet is full of fake news.

The next day though, fearing he's about to be rumbled, Jan visits Alina at the nail salon and tells her to stay away from Seb as it's too dangerous.

Later on at the Rovers, Seb confides in Jan and Eileen that he's missing Alina and wants to visit her, but Jan convinces him to leave her be.

Meanwhile, Nick has spotted himself in some pictures of Beth's from the night of the factory collapse. He brings them to show the police to use as an alibi, but officers still aren't convinced.

Gary makes his way over to Rick's office but is rattled when he's confronted by Rick's teenage daughter Kelly, who is demanding to know where her dad is.

Thinking on his feet, Gary reveals to Kelly that her dad is a criminal – but then decides to elaborate, by lying that he's on the run from the police and has fled the country.

Sarah confides in Adam about Nick's alibi, and is stunned when Carla tells her that her phone was not among the stolen ones she handed back.

Sarah can't ignore her hunch and discusses her suspicions with Adam, who encourages her to report him. But she's reluctant to go to the police on a hunch, and so Adam and Imran take over.

Later on, Gary is approached by the police and taken in for questioning. As he watches Sarah and Adam from the car window, he's broken to realise they were the ones who shopped him.

After he's questioned and released, a guilt-stricken Gary wants to alleviate some of his remorse and heads to the solicitors office to tell Imran that he's responsible for Rana's death.

With Carla and Pete back at number 1, Roy needs somewhere to stay and kind hearted Tyrone offers him a bed at number 9 – Evelyn's bed, forcing get to share with Ruby.

A furious Evelyn is determined to assert her place in the house, but before long Tyrone tells her that she better start being nice to Roy unless she wants to be turfed out instead.

With Ed working on the electrics at the café Roy is making a real effort with Evelyn, but she's determined to lock horns, telling anyone who will listen that Roy has feelings for her.

When Evelyn decides that Larry the electrician is taking too long with the wiring at the café she decides to have some stern words, but is taken aback when Roy doesn't fight her corner.

The factory workers are getting tired of the lack of space at the community centre and after a vote most agree to sacrifice their bonuses to fund rebuilding the factory. Everyone, except Beth.

Beth tries to sell her shares first to Sean and then to his current nemesis Paul. In the end, the workers decide to divide Beth's shares in the company evenly between them. Beth reluctantly agrees.

Meanwhile, unlucky in love Maria is still looking for Mr Right and a sympathetic Audrey offers to set her up with Bob, her 3 o'clock appointment.

When a single man arrives at the salon for 3pm, Maria assumes him to be Bob and flirts outrageously, none the wiser to Audrey trying to call her from her pocket.

Maria is humiliated when it's transpires the client is married – and when Audrey arrives, she explains that Bob cancelled his appointment, and she'd been trying to tell Maria!

After Emma urges Maria to keep trying with online dating, Maria arranges a date with good looking Ben – but is horrified when he reveals that he still loves with his mum.

When a middle aged woman parks herself at their table and introduces herself as Ben's mum, Maria is mortified and quickly makes her excuses and leaves.

Next up is Rex, who Maria meets at the Bistro for their blind date. Things are going well but Maria is taken aback when Rex reveals he really enjoys dressing up as a dog - for pleasure.

Ali overhears their awkward exchange and when it comes to paying can't help asking if they'd like a doggy bag for their leftovers. Clearly offended, Rex storms off.

By way of apology for ruining Maria's date, after his shift Ali turns up to her place with a bottle of wine, which they both enjoy together.

Polishing off the last of the bottle, the chemistry between the two of them is evident, and when Ali finally leans in for a kiss, Maria kisses him back.