It has been reported that Robert Preston will meet an untimely demise in Coronation Street this Christmas...
It has been hinted that Coronation Street is planning a Christmas Day episode packed full of shocking drama this year with Robert Preston's death taking centre stage.
Reports in The Sun have claimed that Robert will meet an untimely end as he finds himself caught in the crossfire when a shooting takes place on the cobbles.
While Christmas is usually about family, feasting, and the Queen's speech, soap fans know things are usually very different in soapland.
Viewers are used to huge drama unfolding as we watch the festive instalments of our favourite soaps, and it seems this year Coronation Street is keeping up the tradition of deadly shocks.
It has been reported that a drunk Derek Milligan returns to the cobbles looking for revenge on business partner Gary Windass.
Fans of the soap will remember that Gary warned Derek away from Weatherfield when he started taking a shine to Izzy... but it seems that as Christmas approaches the pair's business partnership will turn sour.
It has been claimed that alcoholic Derek will arrive at the Rovers on Christmas Day waving a gun around, and soon things turn into a bloodbath as two people get shot.
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A source reportedly told the publication: "Derek gets drunk and starts waving a gun around the pub.
"There's a tense stand-off then a massive fight between the two men and two people are shot, including Robert who dies on Christmas Day.
"He makes it to hospital, but suffers a heart attack and dies off screen. It is left to Michelle to tell everyone that he is dead."
It's no shock that Tristan Gemmill, who plays doomed Robert in the soap, is departing the cobbles after announcing his exit earlier this year, and his on-screen partner Kym Marsh, who plays Michelle Connor, is also bowing out of the soap.
Thankfully for Michelle it seems she is set to survive the Rovers' shooting as it has been revealed the door has been left open for Kym to return to her role in the future.
With Robert's demise leading the way for Michelle's exit, it looks like there is plenty of drama heading to Weatherfield this festive season.
But what about the second person rumoured to be shot? Will they meet a grisly end as well?
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.
