Christmas on Coronation Street is rarely a time of peace, but this year the festive season plunged Weatherfield into one of its darkest chapters yet. Amid shattered relationships, shocking betrayals and violent secrets, it is Carla Connor who emerges as the character who endured the bleakest Christmas of all — a harrowing ordeal that culminates in Becky Swain’s dramatic arrest following a brutal attack.

While several residents suffered during the holidays, none came close to the sustained terror and physical danger faced by Carla. Eva Price’s joy crumbled when her baby secret was exposed, Maggie Driscoll found herself cast out after revealing it, and Daniel Osborne’s Christmas ended in hospital after a savage assault. Abby Webster’s relationship imploded when she uncovered Carl Webster’s latest betrayal, while Ryan Connor drew the short straw of working on Christmas Day. Yet these hardships pale in comparison to the nightmare Carla has been trapped in for weeks.

Carla’s descent into horror began the moment Becky Swain stormed back into Lisa Swain’s life. From the outset, Becky arrived like a human wrecking ball, determined to reclaim the family she believed had been stolen from her. While Lisa and her daughter Betsy initially struggled to see the threat Becky posed, Carla’s instincts told her otherwise. She immediately recognised Becky as volatile, manipulative and capable of far more than she let on.

Carla’s mistrust drove her to investigate Becky’s past and even snoop around her flat, desperate to find proof that would expose her true nature. But nothing could have prepared her for what followed. In a chilling twist, Becky abducted Carla and imprisoned her in an airing cupboard, cutting her off from the outside world. For over a week, Carla has been held captive, with Becky sending fake texts and social media updates to convince Lisa that Carla is blissfully holidaying in Lanzarote.

The psychological toll of the situation is immense. Carla, stripped of her freedom and isolated from those she loves, is forced to endure Becky’s increasingly erratic behaviour. Becky, meanwhile, is spiralling under the weight of her obsession. Actress Amy Cudden, who plays Becky, previously described her character as “extremely dangerous and capable of anything,” adding that Becky can “strip people of their humanity to achieve her aims.” That warning has proven chillingly accurate.

The situation escalated when Carla attempted to fight back, striking her captor in a desperate bid for freedom. Becky retaliated with terrifying force, confiscating Carla’s vital anti-rejection medication. Viewers know how serious this is: Carla underwent a kidney transplant earlier this year, and missing even a short course of medication puts her life at grave risk. As Carla’s health visibly deteriorates, Becky shows little remorse, proving just how far she is willing to go to win back Lisa and Betsy.

Yet even in her weakest moments, Carla refuses to surrender. She continues to provoke Becky, insisting that Lisa will ultimately choose her. Those words cut deep, striking at the heart of Becky’s deepest fear. In a moment of explosive rage, Becky smashes a plate against the wall above Carla’s head before locking her back inside the cupboard, leaving Carla shaken, terrified and more vulnerable than ever.

The brutal standoff raises agonising questions. Will Carla find a way to escape before it’s too late, or will Becky’s obsession cost Carla her life? As the tension reaches breaking point, Becky’s actions finally catch up with her, leading to her arrest and exposing the full extent of her crimes. The fallout promises to be devastating, not just for Becky and Carla, but for Lisa and Betsy, who must come to terms with the truth about the woman they trusted.

Elsewhere on the cobbles, Christmas chaos rippled through multiple storylines, adding to the season’s grim tone. Tracy Barlow and Abby Webster, long-time enemies, found themselves forming an uneasy alliance after Abby discovered Carl Webster’s latest betrayal. Already furious over Carl’s past manipulation and infidelity, Tracy was stunned to learn that his most recent affair was with James Bailey.

With Tracy’s notorious history of revenge, her advice to Abby was surprisingly restrained — at least by her standards. Encouraging Abby to steal Carl’s money and “rinse him for everything he’s worth,” Tracy dismissed more petty acts of revenge as amateurish. However, given Abby’s criminal past, even this seemingly mild plan could drag her back into dangerous territory. Whether Abby follows Tracy’s lead or chooses a different path remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, the mystery surrounding Daniel Osborne’s brutal attack was finally resolved. Coronation Street confirmed that Will Driscoll was responsible for assaulting Daniel and leaving him unconscious in a ginnel on Christmas night. Fuelled by jealousy over Daniel’s relationship with Megan Walsh — who viewers know has been grooming Will — the teenager lashed out in a moment of uncontrollable rage.

But the truth doesn’t end there. While Will confessed to his grandmother Maggie Driscoll, believing the matter buried, a darker secret emerged. Maggie, determined to protect her grandson, took Daniel’s wallet and watch and framed a homeless man for the crime. The revelation casts Maggie in an increasingly sinister light, especially as she now expects Will’s loyalty in return for her silence.

As Maggie manipulates events to regain her place at the Rovers Return, her actions threaten to unravel yet another family. With secrets piling up and guilt simmering beneath the surface, it’s only a matter of time before the truth explodes.

This Christmas on Coronation Street has delivered heartbreak, terror and moral collapse in equal measure. At its centre stands Carla Connor, a woman pushed to the brink by a rival’s obsession and fighting for survival against impossible odds. Becky Swain’s arrest may bring an end to Carla’s immediate nightmare, but the emotional scars left behind will linger long after the decorations come down. As Weatherfield heads into the new year, one thing is certain: the consequences of this brutal festive period are far from over.