Coronation Street's Idris to begin Underworld takeover plan as sales fall

Coronation Street's Carla Connor-Swain tells Idris Nazir where to stick his grand ideas next week, after he sets his sights on buying her beloved factory.

Will ruthless Idris manage to get his claws into Carla's business, or is she formidable enough to face him?

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"Idris is trying to build an empire in Weatherfield by any means necessary," explains our Coronation Street insider.

"The knicker factory is the industrial beating heart of the area, and Idris sees a serious opportunity to make some money if he can get involved. He'll have to get past Carla first, though…"

The week starts with furious Carla reprimanding Idris for parking too close to her car out on the street.

Although the charismatic businessman turns on the charm, Carla is less than impressed and Lisa immediately senses that her wife isn't Idris's biggest fan.

Afterwards, Idris muses to girlfriend Leanne Battersby that now he isn't buying the Bistro, he plans to focus on acquiring the factory instead – but Leanne warns him that Carla wouldn't sell up in a million years.

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"Underworld is Carla's baby, and she wouldn't dream of flogging it, let alone to Idris," continues our source. "However, upcoming money troubles could leave Carla with no other choice but to sell up for the sake of her family…"

In her office, Carla covertly tells her wife Lisa that sales are plummeting at the factory, and the latest figures are terrible.

Trying to help, detective Lisa suggests that they could get by on her salary alone if necessary – which leaves the fiercely independent Carla feeling more than a little miffed.

Later, the couple discuss the state of the factory over a drink in The Rovers, only to be overheard by scheming Idris. And when he butts in to suggest they rebrand the business to boost sales, Carla lets him have it...

"Carla is already feeling vulnerable over Lisa's salary comment and the factory's losses, so Idris's input sends her over the edge," reveals our spy.

"She gives him a sharp scolding in classic Carla fashion, and as wounded Idris skulks off, Lisa is privately amused by her wife's feisty attitude. Carla won't stand for Idris's interference."

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With times tough over at Underworld, would Carla really let her life's work fall into Idris's untrustworthy hands?

Junade Khan, who plays Idris, recently warned that his character seems to be targeting Carla when she's at her most vulnerable – so it's anyone's guess where this battle could go in the longer-term...

He told us: "Carla is a strong character, so when they both lock horns, it's going to be a battle of wits, really. Obviously Idris is a bit naughty and we'll see what happens there…

"He's very, very determined to get what he wants. And when he sees a weak link in the chain, he likes to try and explore it.

"Right now, she's quite vulnerable so it's a really good time to attack her and get what he wants."

Coronation Street airs on weeknights at 8.30pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.

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