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Corrie viewers who saw squaddies Gary and Quinny make a pact over a beer last week are in for a shock.
We can reveal that Quinny (Stephen Bell, 34) will be killed by a Taliban bomb in Afghanistan later this year while saving Gary's life.
But Gary (Mikey North, 23) then agonises over whether to keep the pact that if one of them dies the surviving soldier will speak to the victims family face-to-face and reveal what happened.
Viewers will see Gary telling his mum: Quinny saved my life.
People are saying I was the hero for surviving but if it hadn't been for Quinny I wouldn't be here. He was the real hero.
But on the night before he is due to see Quinny's parents, vivid flashbacks stop Gary sleeping and in the morning he tells mum Anna (Debbie Rush, 44): I've been awake all night. I'm dreading having to do this.
Concerned for her sons frail state of mind, Anna questions exactly what hes going to tell Quinny's parents. Gary replies: There's only one thing I can tell them the truth.
But as the time draws closer, Gary's dread of reliving the nightmare sends him into a panic. In need of Dutch courage, he sinks a couple of pints in The Rovers Return where he bumps into Izzy Armstrong (Cherylee Houston, 34).
Seeing Gary's turmoil, Izzy says: If you fancy a drink later to help you get over it Ill be in here waiting.
But, left alone in the bar, Gary turns to whisky and gets drunk. When Izzy returns and asks how he got on, Gary confesses: Couldn't do it could I? Just couldn't face the memories. Pathetic aren't I? When Izzy tries to question him further Gary snaps: I don't want to talk about it. Not now, not ever.
A show insider said: This will be harrowing stuff. The realities of war in Afghanistan will be vividly brought home to the viewers. We hope our portrayal of the war and its consequences will be realistic and sensitive at the same time.
Taliban bombs or IEDs are now the major cause of British and Nato deaths in Afghanistan.
People
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This sounds much more believable than making him an EOD officer with only a few months military service. If handled properly this will be a powerful storyline and one which will bring into our living rooms the risks faced by all our young squaddies in Afghanistan.
Whether or not you agree with the reasons why they are there there can be no doubting the heroism of these guys and girls. Yet another two murdered today.
Well done to Corrie for highlighting this issue and God bless and protect everyone out in Afghanistan and let's hope they all return home safe.
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i think its good as well, it does afect so many people. I can completely relate to it as there was a young lad where i live that i had briefly met, but knew his friends well and he was killed in afghanistan 2 years ago in january. No one thinks really that it will happen to them bit it is very real to a lot of people.
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This is a more appropraite storyline for Gary instead of being an over-night bomb disposal expert. We only have to watch the news to know that a week can't pass but there are more lives lost. My nephew is 30 his Dad was in the RAF and served in Ireland in the late 70's early 80's. We used to watch the news holding our breaths every time the news reader would report that another soldier had been killed. Not to cast more doom or gloom on the tragedy of Afghanistan but there was a young woman age 29 who was part of the judo club that Marley goes to. Steph was her name, anyway Steph joined the army in 2000 and has served in Ireland, Iraq and Afghanstan. Last months while being back at the barracks in the UK Steph went into the woods and took her own life. She left no note so her family are in bits. They don't know if it was the effects of serving her country or stuff going on in her personal life.
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Unfortunately the longer this war goes on the more people who will be affected by its consequences and as Kath says its not just those killed while in Afghanistan. I have a close friend who is a widow and she has two sons bothe of whom will be going to Afghanistan within the next few weeks. Naturally she is worried sick. As it is one of our local regimets that is heading over there now its very likely that any deaths in the next six months will impact hard in a small community suvh as ours.
All we can do is hope and pray that they all return to their loved ones
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Coronation Street star Mikey North has revealed that he has a lot of respect for the British Armed Forces.
The actor, who plays Gary Windass on the ITV1 soap, admitted that he is glad to play the first serving soldier in Weatherfield.
He told Inside Soap: "It's something I can't really get my head around - how those guys go out there and put their lives on the line without a thought for themselves.
"I've got so much respect for them, and it's nice to be the first regular serving soldier on the Street. Bill Roache, who plays Ken, told me there was one at the start, but he was only in it very briefly."
Speaking of his own physical fitness, he added: "I don't go to the gym at all, to be honest - I'm a lazy guy like that.
"I don't know how I don't put on weight! I really should be at the gym more, but I've not got round to it yet."
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Coronation Street star Mikey North has predicted that his character Gary Windass will not return to the army after he gets caught up in a roadside bomb incident in Afghanistan.
Next week, Gary's parents Eddie and Anna discover that he has been injured in a horrifying blast during his tour of duty in the troubled country.
Speaking to Soaplife, North explained: "He has a broken arm, broken ribs, an injured leg and shrapnel wounds to his face. But the worst injury is the mental one.
"He's a different Gary to the one you last saw. When his parents come to the hospital, they're shocked at the state of him."
As well as focusing on his recovery after returning to Weatherfield, Gary must also deal with the loss of his close friend Quinny, who was killed by the bomb.
Discussing Gary's future, North added: "I think his army career will be over after this incident. I can't see him wanting to go back at any point. He'll get better but I think an experience like that stays with you for the rest of your life. Gary can never forget the terrible things he's seen."
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Coronation Street star Steve Huison has said that his thoughts are with real-life parents who have children serving in Afghanistan.
Last night, the actor's character Eddie Windass and partner Anna (Debbie Rush) discovered that their son Gary had been injured by a roadside bomb during his tour of duty in the troubled country. The explosion also killed three of Gary's colleagues, including his close friend Quinny.
The development came as part of a long-running storyline which has seen Gary learn the value of the armed forces before signing up to become a soldier himself.
Speaking of the plot, Huison told the Manchester Evening News: "They're definitely the most emotional scenes we've ever done as a family in the Street. We all feel a huge responsibility with this story.
"My heart goes out to parents with sons and daughters in Afghanistan. You wouldn't be able to rest or switch it off, watching the news bulletins all the time. It must be harrowing.
"And something like this would be devastating. Let's just hope that they're getting the support they need."
Scenes to air in forthcoming episodes will explore how Gary's (Mikey North) experience in Afghanistan has affected him as it becomes clear that he is no longer the man he was.
