Isabel, who has played Victoria Sugden in Emmerdale for nearly 20 years, has welcomed an adorable baby girl with her husband, Adam Whitehead.
The soap star is currently taking a break from the ITV soap, having filmed her final scenes in December before they were aired this week.
Emmerdale star Isabel Hodgins gives birth to first child
The 32-year-old actress shared a post with fans on Instagram to reveal the happy news.
She shared a short video first showing the star ready to give birth, followed by audio of the baby crying, captioned: “And then we heard you”, with a pink love heart emoji.
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The video said: “On February 11 at 1.02am. Georgie Grace Whitehead. 11.02.26. 8lbs 5oz.”
It ended with a Polaroid of the soap star cuddling her newborn in bed.
Partner Adam wrote in the comments: “The best birthday present I could ever imagine.”
Fellow Emmerdale stars rushed to congratulate the pair following the joyful news.
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On-screen family member Danny Miller (Aaron Dingle) said: “Congratulations, you three!! So happy for you all.”
I’m a Celeb star, Lisa Riley (Mandy Dingle), wrote: “Congratulations, what amazing news. Love to you all. Love and hugs.”
Lawrence Robb (Mackenzie Boyd) simply said: “Beautiful.”
The actress first announced her pregnancy in August last year, just months after she married Adam Whitehead.
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Has Victoria Sugden left Emmerdale for good?
Isabel Hodgins is taking a break from the ITV show; however has confirmed she will be coming back in the future.
Her exit storyline from Emmerdale due to her maternity leave was revealed in January.
Victoria shockingly killed her serial killer brother, John, as he tried to kidnap her during the Corriedale crossover event.
After this, she was blackmailed by Joe Tate, who forced her and Robert to sign over their share of the farm to stop her from going to prison.
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The final scenes of Isabel’s character aired on Thursday (February 12), leaving the village, but telling her brother Robert that she would be back.
Speaking to The Sun , she said: “I thought I would be really emotional when I filmed my final scenes.
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“Emmerdale is all I have ever known. But pregnancy does funny things to you and the truth is I felt ready not to have to film on Emmerdale!
“I live in Manchester and I’ve been driving over to Leeds to film. By the end, I felt exhausted and I knew it was time to have a rest before the baby arrives.”
She added: “They told me it was up to me when I come back to the soap, which is lovely.
“I’ve been in Emmerdale for 19 years and it’s been a huge part of my life. Everyone has been so nice.”
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She added: “I am in my own baby bubble now.
“I will be back in time but now it’s time to be with my baby and Adam. We can’t wait to be parents.”
Emmerdale airs every weekday at 8pm on ITV1 and STV1, with episodes available at 7am on ITVX.
What do you think will come of Victoria Sugden? Let us know in the comments.
Passengers will be moved to another plane according to Cornwall Airport Newquay
Husna Anjum Senior Live News Reporter and Molly Seaman
17:45, 14 Feb 2026
A Ryanair flight heading for Newquay Airport was forced to divert to Spain due to a ‘technical’ problem. The diversion happened today (February 14) as the FR9448 flight was due to land in Newquay at 4.45pm.
However Newquay Airport has said the flight is delayed and expected at 5.55pm, CornwallLive reports. A passenger on the plane said that the flight landed safely in Madrid after taking off in Malaga.
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The passenger said there was an issue with the plane “burning excess fuel” as it was “not able to climb high enough”. Passenger Eileen has revealed that the flight has landed in Madrid and at the time of reporting, passengers are still on the plane.
Eileen has added that luggage has started to be removed from the plane, she said: “Ryanair flight from Malaga to Newquay lands in Madrid.
“Passengers remain on board. Full flight. Landed safely in Madrid.”
Cornwall Airport Newquay said they were tracking a flight that had a technical fault, which has landed in Madrid. The airport has said passengers are expected to be transferred to another plane.
The A-road from Bowes in County Durham will be shut from 8pm today (Saturday, February 14) in anticipation of bad weather overnight.
A yellow weather warning for snow and ice is in place for the entire region from 9pm, until 10am on Sunday (February 15) morning.
National Highways said: Due to the Met Office forecast of heavy snow overnight we will be implementing a full closure of the A66 between the A685 at Brough (Cumbria) and the A67 at Bowes in both directions at 8pm tonight.”
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The route, which crosses high ground and is often hit by bad weather, had to be closed on Friday morning due to snow.
It comes as an arctic maritime air sweeps across the country.
Due to the @metoffice forecast of heavy snow this overnight we will be implementing a full closure of the #A66 between the #A685#Brough & #A67#Bowes in both directions at 20:00 tonight (14/02)
The yellow warning overnight stretches from Derby to Scotland
The Met Office said snow in these areas might be “heavy at times”, adding that this could cause “some disruption to travel”.
They said “accumulations of 1-3cm (of snow) will be possible at low levels, with 3-7cm possible above about 150m elevation, and perhaps 10-15cm above 400m”.
The start of next week will remain unsettled, Mr Stroud said.
Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo came off the bench to help the Blues to an FA Cup win over Salford City in a poor game
17:04, 14 Feb 2026
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Even a man who loves the FA Cup as much as Pep Guardiola can’t have enjoyed that. Manchester City are through to the fifth round but that is the only positive thing to say after an afternoon of football at the Etihad that will be a mercy to be left off any highlight shows.
Guardiola made nine changes from the side that had beaten Fulham in midweek but it was a show of strength for the Premier League title challengers that it did not look a weak side. John Stones was back to start his first game in nearly three months, internationals Rayan Cherki, Omar Marmoush and Tijjani Reijnders came into the attack and Nico Gonzalez settled in at the base of midfield.
It all looked routine in the early minutes, with Rayan Ait-Nouri’s cross being inadvertently booted into his own net by Alfie Dorrington to give City an early lead. The hosts enjoyed 94 per cent possession in the opening 15 minutes and Marmoush had a goal wrongfully ruled out for offside soon after as Blues began to think of the 8-0 they had inflicted on Salford in this competition last year.
As it was, Salford ended up being unfortunate to go in behind at the break despite barely having possession as City were as poor as they have been in ages. Stones looked particularly rusty, but ahead of him there was nothing from Reijnders, Cherki or Phil Foden.
City’s manager was banned from the dugout for the last round against Exeter and spent large chunks of this game slumped in his seat, as if even he did not have the energy to try to sort what was going on in front of him. James Trafford was City’s best player by the end of the first half, and went further in front after the break.
That led to the cavalry being called up, with Antoine Semenyo, Marc Guehi and Nico O’Reilly all called for just after the hour mark and Rodri coming on not long after. It was no surprise that it was effort from Semenyo and intelligence from Guehi that earned the second goal late on to make the game safe.
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Semenyo has been sloppy in some of his City performances but never lifeless and he immediately gave the team an energy that had been somehow missing to that point. He may have lost the ball in a tussle with Rosaire Longelo on the left flank, but he won it back and earned the set-piece that City scored from when Guehi poked home his first goal in a City shirt.
That was the level required, and it does not reflect well on any of the outfield starting players that it took a substitute to come on and show them the level required. Guehi and O’Reilly also lifted standards in their own way so that is three players who will surely start next week against Newcastle.
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The Carabao Cup Final will see Arsenal v Manchester City at London’s Wembley Stadium this March.
This game may be looked back on in a few months as a reminder of how sometimes the only thing that matters is the result, or it may be seen as a reflection of the inconsistencies in the team that have been there for a while.
In the best of all worlds, it simply won’t ever be spoken of again.
Jollyes Pets opened at the Teesbay Retail Park in Hartlepool on Saturday (February 14), with a Valentine’s theme throughout.
The opening was complete with a romantic backdrop of love letters, floral arrangements and a red carpet to set the scene for a special pet blessing.
But no one was expecting store manager Adam Davis from Bishop Auckland to get down on one knee and propose to his partner, Angela Raine – who said yes.
Adam and Angela, from Bishop Auckland. (Image: Dave Charnley)
Adam and Angela, from Bishop Auckland, have been together for 12 years and share two sons, Alfie and Jack.
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Adam and Angela, from Bishop Auckland, share two sons, Alfie and Jack. (Image: Dave Charnley)
Meanwhile local Jessica Hecker and her cocker spaniel Ginny had their bond blessed by a local celebrant.
Jollyes Pets officially opens its new Hartlepool store at Teesbay Retail Park (Image: Dave Charnley)
Local dog lover Jessica Hecker and her cocker spaniel Ginny (Image: Dave Charnley)
Jollyes Pets officially opens its new Hartlepool store at Teesbay Retail Park (Image: Dave Charnley)
Eileen Temple-French led the blessing with a personalised sermon, as a live accordionist played romantic songs.
Councillor Pamela Hargreaves, the leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, and MP Jonathan Brash, joined staff for a red-ribbon cutting, while retired police dog Nash bit through a string of sausages to declare the store open.
Jollyes Pets officially opens its new Hartlepool store at Teesbay Retail Park (Image: Dave Charnley)
Jollyes Pets officially opens its new Hartlepool store at Teesbay Retail Park (Image: Dave Charnley)
It has created eight jobs.
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Store manager Adam added: “We’re delighted to finally open the doors and welcome customers to our new store in Hartlepool.
“We know people are mad about their pets, and today was all about celebrating that bond with the pet blessing between Jessica and her cocker spaniel Ginny.
Jollyes Pets officially opens its new Hartlepool store at Teesbay Retail Park (Image: Dave Charnley)
Jollyes Pets officially opens its new Hartlepool store at Teesbay Retail Park (Image: Dave Charnley)
“It was a truly heartwarming day, filled with wagging tails, happy faces, and a little bit of love.
“The whole team here is excited to bring their pet expertise alongside the kind of value that’s been making a real difference to pet parents right across the UK”.
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This year, Jollyes has opened stores in Blackpool and Ponders End, and is due to open in Whitehaven on Friday, February 27.
It’s been named the best place in the East of England according to Zoopla
Freddie Lynne and Vicky Shaw Press Association Personal Finance Correspondent
17:00, 14 Feb 2026
Rising incomes and recent falls in mortgage rates may make getting on the property ladder easier for some people who are buying on their own, according to a property website. Zoopla analysed prices for smaller homes with one or two bedrooms, and compared this with average incomes for single earners to pinpoint cities where single home buyers may have a particularly good chance of getting on the property ladder.
The website said that single buyers account for around two-fifths (39%) of first-time purchases, with affordability constraints often working against single earners and making it harder to “go it alone”.
Zoopla found that in Peterborough was the most affordable city for single buyers in the East of England, with a typical first-time buyer home there costing around six times their average earnings. The average home price in the city is around £183,200, while the average buyer’s income is £30,500.
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Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, said: “Buying a home can feel out of reach for many singles who have to rely on just one income to cover mortgage and other costs of home ownership. Rising incomes and lower mortgage rates mean that owning a home by yourself is increasingly possible.
“For many, that means buying a smaller-sized home where property prices have risen more slowly than for larger, family-sized homes in recent years. It’s important to do your research, digging into mortgage affordability and products aimed at singles while considering alternative locations and selecting the right area for you.”
Kesha Foss-Smith, regional director at John D Wood & Co, said: “Single buyers are becoming far more strategic about where and what they buy. Many are prioritising affordability over postcode prestige and choosing areas that still offer good transport links, local amenities and long-term value.
“The combination of stabilising house prices and improved mortgage rates has opened doors again, and we’re seeing renewed confidence in the market, particularly for one and two-bed homes. With more choice coming on to the market and sellers being more open to negotiation, this is one of the more favourable windows we’ve seen for single buyers in recent years.”
One of the last times Prince William and Andrew were seen together in public (Picture: Getty Images)
Prince William allegedly wanted his ‘ignoramus’ uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, banished from the royal family following his disastrous Newsnight interview.
The royal family is making headlines – and for all the wrong reasons from a PR perspective – as more details continue to emerge about Andrew’s friendship with the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
While the senior royals have taken steps to distance themselves from the former Duke of York in recent months, the family’s discussions about what to do about the disgraced Andrew go further back to the aftermath of his Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis.
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During the interview, Andrew was quizzed about his friendship with Epstein and why he went to visit him in New York even after the businessman was convicted of soliciting sex from girls as young as 14.
He denied ever having witnessed anything illegal or suspicious while visiting Epstein’s properties, and he has always denied accusations of any wrongdoing.
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However, in the court of public opinion, the 2019 interview was considered a trainwreck for Andrew and the royal family.
Prince William reportedly pleaded with his dad, then Prince Charles, and the Queen to take immediate action, according to a new biography written by The Mirror’s royal editor, Russell Myers.
Andrew was pictured riding his horse in Windsor just days before he was due to move out of the Royal Lodge to a ‘modest’ farm in Sandringham (Picture: REUTERS)
A source claimed William was keen to get Andrew out of sight ‘before the rot set in, according to The Mirror citing the upcoming book.
They said: ‘Once you understand the fact that everything that happens in the here and now, affects everything in the future, William’s future, it is very easy to put yourself in his shoes.
‘He never much liked his uncle and wanted him out of the picture immediately before the rot further set in.
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‘William’s view was that he got himself into the whole mess, so he should be left to his own devices to sort it out away from the family.’
Royal experts told Metro the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine, have been successful in distancing themselves from Andrew (Picture: Getty Images)
Sources claim William and Charles had a disagreement at Sandringham the following Christmas over whether Andrew should be banished.
Prince William is said to have questioned the benefit of his uncle ‘to the wider operation’ long before Virginia Giuffre’s sexual abuse allegations involving Andrew became public.
A source with knowledge of the family conversations claimed William thought Andrew was ‘a bit of an ignoramus’ and they had ‘never seen eye to eye.’
While he has a good relationship with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, he is said to have wanted to keep Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, away from the family in public and private.
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But this is said to have been overruled by Charles, the palace source added.
Duncan Larcombe, a royal commentator and former royal editor of The Sun, told Metro that the Andrew-Epstein relationship has ‘bubbled up at times since before 2011.’
‘And yet the royal family have thought that if they just shut their eyes and put their fingers in their ears it is all going to go away,’ he said.
He continued: ‘There have been many occasions along the route where the royal family could have taken the initiative on this.
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‘But they didn’t out of loyalty to Andrew and especially with the late Queen.
‘They had many opportunities to properly nail this down, but they didn’t because they were loyal to Andrew. And this is why we’ve ended up in this situation we are today.’
You can read the royal expert’s analysis of what the next steps are for the royals amid the Andrew scandal here.
The 2025-26 FA Cup is in full swing, with the competition’s fourth round taking place this weekend.
Saturday brings two top-flight clashes, Aston Villa vs Newcastle and Liverpool vs Brighton, with Manchester City hosting Salford City and Burnley welcoming Mansfield Town among the earlier kick-offs.
Concluding the fourth round action, meanwhile, is Brentford’s visit to Macclesfield.
The Silkmen, members of the National League North and the lowest-ranked team remaining in this year’s cup, face top-flight opponents for the second successive round after they sensationally dumped out holders Crystal Palace in January.
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When is the FA Cup fifth round draw?
The draw will be held ahead of the fourth-round meeting between Macclesfield FC and Brentford.
TNT Sports coverage of the game gets underway at 6.30pm GMT, ahead of a 7.30pm kick-off, with the draw scheduled to begin around 6.35pm.
Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist will host the draw, with Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole in charge of picking the balls.
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Where to watch FA Cup fifth round draw
TV channel: In the UK, coverage of the draw is scheduled before Macclesfield FC vs Brentford, live on TNT Sports 1.
Live stream: You can also follow along online via the Discovery+ app and website with a subscription, as well as on the TNT Sports YouTube channel.
Live blog: Follow the FA Cup fifth draw as it happens on Monday evening with Standard Sport’s live blog.
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FA Cup fifth round ball numbers
3. Oxford United or Sunderland
4. Southampton or Leicester
11. Port Vale or Bristol City
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13. Aston Villa or Newcastle
15. Macclesfield or Brentford
FA Cup fourth round fixtures and results
Oxford United vs Sunderland
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Port Vale vs Bristol City
Macclesfield FC vs Brentford
When will FA Cup fifth-round ties take place?
FA Cup fifth-round matches are scheduled to be held across the weekend of March 7/8, 2026.
The route a drug takes into the body can matter as much as the drug itself – and rectal use brings risks that are rarely talked about openly.
Often called “boofing”, “booty bumping” or “plugging”, the practice involves taking drugs via the rectum rather than swallowing, snorting or injecting.
In health settings, this route is familiar through suppositories and enemas, especially when patients cannot take medication by mouth. Outside clinical contexts, however, rectal drug use brings a distinct set of dangers that are widely misunderstood. What matters from a public health perspective is not what people call it but how it affects the body.
Boofing itself isn’t new. Alcohol enemas were documented in early 20th-century medical journals. Opium and herbal preparations were used rectally in ancient China, Egypt and Greece. What is new is the way today’s drug markets intersect with this type of administration.
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First, modern illicit drugs are often stronger and less predictable. High-potency MDMA or ecstasy, synthetic stimulants and adulterated cocaine mean people may seek faster or more intense effects from smaller amounts.
Second, boofing is sometimes presented as a way to avoid the perceived harms of snorting or injecting. Third, social media and nightlife networks have made it easier for different drug-taking practices to spread quickly, often without the medical context needed to understand the risks.
What happens when drugs are taken rectally?
The rectum has a dense network of blood vessels. Substances absorbed there can enter the bloodstream rapidly, often bypassing parts of the liver that would normally reduce a drug’s potency when swallowed.
The result can be effects that arrive faster and feel stronger than expected. That also means there is less room for error. A dose that feels manageable when taken orally or nasally may become overwhelming when absorbed rectally, increasing the risk of irritation, injury or potential overdose.
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While dangers vary by substance, several risks apply broadly to rectal administration. Overdose risk is higher because absorption can be rapid and unpredictable. People may re-dose too quickly, assuming nothing has happened, only for delayed effects to arrive suddenly.
The lining of the rectum is delicate and easily damaged by caustic substances or repeated irritation. Small tears and inflammation increase vulnerability to infection. There is also a risk of transmitting HIV, hepatitis C and other infections, particularly if equipment is shared or hygiene is poor. Micro-abrasions can make transmission more likely too.
And unlike injecting, rectal drug use leaves no obvious external marks, which can delay recognition of harm when someone is in trouble.
Different substances also carry different dangers. Stimulants such as cocaine, methamphetamine and synthetic cathinones or “bath salts” are commonly linked to boofing-related harms. Rapid absorption can put severe strain on the heart and nervous system, raising the risk of overheating, agitation, stroke or cardiac events.
MDMA brings concerns around dehydration and dangerous changes in body temperature, especially when faster onset of effects leads to repeated dosing. Opioids, including heroin and synthetic variants, can suppress breathing. Rectal absorption may still be fast enough to cause fatal overdose, particularly when combined with alcohol or sedatives.
Alcohol enemas are especially risky. Because alcohol bypasses the stomach, the body loses its natural warning system – vomiting – dramatically increasing the chance of alcohol poisoning.
There are also growing concerns around GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate), a powerful depressant with a very narrow margin between intoxication and overdose. In a 2019 Channel 4 documentary, a Prison and Probation Service safeguarding professional warned about cases involving GHB absorbed rectally when mixed with lubricant. The effects can be sudden and hard to detect, raising serious risks of unconsciousness and breathing suppression, and, in non-consensual contexts, drug-facilitated sexual assault.
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Who does it and why context matters
There is no single “type” of person who engages in this practice. Research is limited, but people may experiment for different reasons including curiosity, faster onset or avoiding damage to the nose or veins.
Because boofing is highly stigmatised, open discussion is rare. That makes reliable information harder to find. This is a problem from a harm reduction perspective. Non-judgemental, evidence-based advice helps people make safer choices, whatever their circumstances.
Boofing harm-reduction tips.
Online, boofing is sometimes described as safer than injecting or snorting. That comparison is misleading. While it avoids needle injuries and nasal damage, the lack of visible harm can also create a false sense of security.
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Much of the danger does not come from the route alone, but from unknown drug strength, contaminants and inconsistent supply. In illicit markets, changing how a drug is taken can increase risk.
Reducing harm
From a public health perspective, the goal is not to sensationalise this practice, but to reduce preventable harm. The University of Pittsburgh developed a safer boofing guide in 2023 to offer harm reduction advice.
Hygiene also matters. Rectal drug use can interact with sexual health. Invisible injuries can raise the risk of infection, including sexually transmitted infections, particularly if drugs are taken shortly before anal sex. Condoms, regular testing and HIV prevention tools remain central to reducing harm.
Boofing reflects a much older human tendency to experiment with different substances. What has changed is the context. Today’s drugs are often stronger, more adulterated and less predictable. At the same time, practices circulate rapidly online, frequently stripped of medical or public health advice.
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Understanding rectal drug use, rather than sensationalising it, allows for more honest conversations about risk. This is not about encouraging drug use, but about recognising reality and reducing preventable harm in an increasingly volatile drug market.
The special instalment, officially set to air on Monday (February 16) was mistakenly released three days early yesterday afternoon, but was taken down moments later.
It revealed a confirmed date for Carla Connor and Lisa Swain’s hotly anticipated wedding.
Viewers were also given a glimpse of a new murder-mystery and “whodunnit” plot with several potential victims and suspects.
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corrie uploading monday’s ep early by accident and deleting after thirty minutes must be the funniest thing ever pls pic.twitter.com/8xURlQ0GUa
The Radio Times synopsis for Monday’s episode shares: “Several weeks into the future, a detective interviews Betsy about her discovery of a dead body, but which of five potential victims will be murdered and who is their killer?”
Coronation Street fans say accidental upload of special flash-forward episode is ‘genius’
However, fans of the ITV soap have said the early upload made in error on unlucky Friday 13th, was a “genius” move as it was a “flash-forward of the flash-forward”.
It comes as someone posted on X: “And on Friday the 13th having a flashforward of the flashforward. Very clever. Hopefully whoever it is doesn’t get into trouble.”
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Someone else put: “A flashforward of a flashforward. Genius, really.”
Corrie’s Top 5 Villains
This person shared: “corrie posting the flash forward ep 3 days early you have to laugh.”
Others who managed to watch some of Monday’s episode yesterday said: “I watched it before they took it down, and I assumed they meant to release it early, but I don’t think it’s done any harm. I’m quite excited to see where this is all going and who gets killed in April.”
One user commented: “Coronation Street putting out Mondays episode already!! Oops watching it now. #Swarla #Corrie.”
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Meanwhile, some were too late, as this profile put: “i’ve just sat and watched it but they took it down 2 minutes before it ended.”
Another chimed in: “We seen only the first 10 minutes before it was taken down!!!”
Over on Reddit, this viewer discussed: “For some reason they surprised us by they uploaded the next episode 3 DAYS EARLIER than they usually do. And yep I watched the episode and I already have a bad feeling about the one thing that I saw on the end of the episode.”
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An account responded: “Imagine being the person who accidentally uploaded not just any episode early, but the one that kicks off Corrie’s much-hyped big murder mystery.”
Newsquest has contacted Coronation Street for comment.
Coronation Street airs on Monday, February 16 from 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.