Bethany (played by Lucy Fallon) is set to leave Coronation Street early next year and after Gary’s (Mikey North) reign of terror claimed another two lives this evening, she could very well become his next victim. Although viewers of the ITV soap know the super villain had a change of heart and tried to save gunman Derek Milligan (Craige Els), could the teenager have seen the troubled character’s dramatic death from another perspective and believe her mother’s ex to be a killer? Knowing the Bistro waitress is on to his murderous ways, could the loan shark go to extreme lengths to silence her?
As the terrifying siege began at the Rovers Return where Robert Preston (Tristan Gemmill) took a fatal hit from a bullet, Bethany and her family were in the Winter Wonderland complex to take part in a treasure hunt for David Platt’s (Jack P Shepherd) birthday.
However, when Gary coaxed the gunman out the pub, his attempt to act as the hero led the battle straight into the heart of the Platts plans.
Although she tried to take on Derek when he put her brother Harry Platt in danger (Freddie and Isaac Rhodes), the youngster managed to hide away, but was in optimum position to see the troubled character fall to his death.
Knowing Gary was at the top of the construction with the assassin, could the teenager believe Derek might have been pushed to his demise by the super villain and therefore, put her in the firing line?
READ MORE: Coronation Street spoilers: Nick Tilsley murdered by Gary Windass?
Watching the horror unfold, the teenager let out a terrifying gasp when the gunman died from such a height, but could this have been because she suddenly realised what Gary was capable of?
Currently, no other Weatherfield resident knows the extent of the loan shark’s criminal empire and what lengths he has gone to in order to get to such a position.
Bethany seemed to be playing coy to the situation as her auntie-in-law Shona Ramsay (Julia Goulding) was also shot in the crossfire.
If she now knows the villain is a killer, will she confront him about his murderous ways and seal her own death?
The aftermath of actor Tristan’s, 52, exit from the cobbles will lead to Kym’s, 43, departure later this week after 13 years in the role.
In a very different take on the soap’s festive instalment, Executive Producer Iain MacLeod explained the decision to kill off a beloved character.
Speaking with press, including Express.co.uk, he said: “Anything like that is a tough decision and indeed, killing any character regardless of whether it’s Christmas or not is a tough decision.
“I’m always fully conscious of the fact these aren’t just characters, there’s an actor and a human being who plays that part.”
“So, before you drop the guillotine on them, you do think long and hard about it because it has serious, real world consequences for people,” the soap boss continued.
“Ultimately, I think actors understand that you want to tell the best story possible and I think the outcomes of the Christmas episode are the right outcomes in the respective stories where they occur.”
Robert also leaves behind his mistress Vicky Jefferies (Kerri Quinn) and their newborn son after his double life was exposed a couple of weeks ago.
How will this new mother cope with the loss of her child’s father, despite having tried to frame him for her murder?
Coronation Street continues tonight at 8pm on ITV.
