Exclusive: Long future ahead for Corrie's John plot

Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson has reaffirmed his desire to keep John Stape in the soap for a long time to come.

In the show's 50th anniversary episodes last week, fans saw John reach his darkest moment yet as he furiously attacked Charlotte Hoyle (Becky Hindley) with a hammer when their blackmail storyline came to a head.

Doctors later confirmed that Charlotte was suffering from severe brain damage and - still posing as her partner 'Colin' - John played a further role in her demise when he agreed that her life support machine should be turned off.

However, John's wife Fiz (Jennie McAlpine) currently remains unaware of his sinister behaviour, including his part in the disappearance of the late Colin Fishwick, which sparked his problems with Charlotte.

Speaking to Digital Spy about the character's future, Collinson confirmed: "John's story - or certainly the Fiz part of John's story - is going to go on for a long time into next year."

He added: "You've not seen the end of that story by a long, long, long chalk."

In the weeks ahead, John is expected to face more problems with Colin's mother Joy (Doreen Mantle), who recently arrived on the Stapes' doorstep in search of answers about her son's disappearance.

The former schoolteacher is also currently adjusting to life as a new father following the premature birth of his daughter Hope last week.

> Click here to read the main part of our recent interview with Phil Collinson