The Ernst Stavro Blofeld of Weatherfield?

Weatherfield's Mr. Tony Gordon - portrayed by former River City actor Gray O'Brien - has quickly become a firm favourite of mine.

Casting your minds back to his entrance to the soap - he was promptly drafted in as a seemingly-gimmicky replacement for Carla Connor's (Alison King) now-dead husband, Paul Connor (Sean Gallagher). But it seems that the producers realised they were on to a good thing and quickly turned his plot device romance with Carla into a serious storyline.

Now the tycoon of Weatherfield has become the epitome of a soap villain, noting 'the glare', especially. And to complete his villainous look, the director even adorns him with a Blofeld-esque cat during next week's episodes.

So, as the trials and tribulations of Tony Gordon continue, where is it all going? His ongoing dispute with Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) and stomach-churning relationship with Weatherfield temptress Rosie Webster (Helen Flanagan) are currently dominating our screens. But with Liam's death on the cards, Carla's brief departure at around the same time (more on which below) and 'that picture' of Carla and Liam together, I have a feeling that their worlds are going to implode.

And hot off the press as I type, some fresh on-location shots have just landed in my inbox. It appears Tony manages to get his hands on Rosie's mobile during a secret rendezvous in a hotel room. For some reason, however, he decides to throw it off a bridge after seeing the photo of Carla and Liam kissing and vows revenge. Now, why on earth would you drop your evidence into a canal?







Meanwhile, a big congratulations must go to another Corrie favourite of mine, Alison King, on the news that she's expecting her first baby with boyfriend Adam Huckett. Call me a conspirator, but surely her February due-date must have something to do with her rumoured end-of-year exit and a certain someone's departure from the soap after his character is murdered in cold blood...

And finally, it seems that others have also noticed that Molly's (Vicky Binns) Auntie Pam (Kate Anthony) has been framed as the Maureen 'Big Mo' Harris (Laila Morse) of Weatherfield.

Let me know your thoughts on the above using the usual form below!

Pictures copyright Mark Campbell / Rex Features