Coronation Street icon Kevin Webster will be diagnosed with cancer in a harrowing new storyline.

Michael Le Vell, 60, who plays the mechanic in the ITV soap, has starred as a main character on the Cobbles for 41 years, but his character will soon face his toughest battle yet.

Meanwhile, Kevin’s wife Abi, played by Sally Carman, 43, will be hit hard by the news as she struggles with her own ordeal.

New producer Kate Brooks told The Sun: ‘As we go into the new year, Kevin will discover that he’s got testicular cancer, which causes a massive strain on his relationship.’

‘Abi is a really strong character, but she’s going through her own turmoil at the same time.’

‘We want to tell this really truthfully. We’ve been working closely with Macmillan to make sure that we tell the story right.’

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Coronation Street icon Kevin Webster will be diagnosed with cancer in a harrowing new storyline

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Michael Le Vell, 60, who plays the mechanic in the ITV soap, has starred as a main character on the Cobbles for 41 years, but his character will soon face his toughest battle yet (pictured with Sally Carman)

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Kate Brooks added that ultimately the story will be ‘about their relationship’ and ‘testing that relationship’.

The ITV soap is also keen to raise awareness of the disease and wants to ensure Michael’s character Kevin is honest with his family and friends about what he’s going through.

Kate added that it is really important for them to not show Kevin feeling embarrassed or being ‘reticent’ to talk to his friends about his battle.

Kate also revealed that Michael’s character Kevin discusses his health battle with Tim and Steve but ultimately his relationship with his wife Abi will be truly tested.

She alluded that Abi will struggle with the aftermath of a big event that happens in January and temptation will come her way.

It comes as the new boss has also warned that multiple characters face the axe as she told of several ‘unexpected exits’ coming up for 2025.

Kate, who previously took the helm at Emmerdale, recently opened up about her plans for Weatherfield and its residents in the coming New Year.

And while there’s plenty of sizzling storylines and drama to come, there are several cast members who won’t get to see this as their characters are set to leave the show in a move that is tipped to send ‘shockwaves’ throughout the show.

Meanwhile, Kevin’s wife Abi, played by Sally Carman, 43, (pictured on the show) will be hit hard by the news as she struggles with her own ordeal

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The ITV soap’s new producer Kate Brooks, who previously took the helm at Emmerdale, recently opened up about her plans for Michael’s character (pictured on Loose Women 2022)

Speaking to The Sun and other press, Kate explained the upcoming plans: ‘There are a few exits this year and some unexpected ones that will send shockwaves.’

‘People might not expect the exits, but there are a few.’

However, amidst the shock departure, Coronation Street is set to welcome back a few familiar faces as well as some new additions.

Most notable among the comebacks is Rob Donovan – Carla Connor’s brother who is serving time in jail for the murder of Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan).

Actor Marc Baylis, who plays the villain, has reportedly already returned to filming, with his character no doubt set to have a huge impact on Carla, his son Bobby and Carla’s new romance with police officer Lisa Swain.

Detailing his big return, Kate shared: ‘We last left Rob languishing in prison. He made mistakes. He comes back to the show and we think he might be a reformed character who has seen the error of his ways, but whether that’s the case or not, I don’t know!’

‘He definitely comes back and causes a lot of trouble for Carla and Lisa. Just when Carla and Lisa think it’s safe to sit down and watch Netflix, Rob Donovan comes along and scuppers all of that.’

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It comes as the new boss has also warned that multiple characters face the axe as she told of several ‘unexpected exits’ coming up for 2025

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Kate went on to add that Rob’s return will be a ‘a big story’ for the family which will have plenty ‘of twists and turns’ to keep soap fans well and truly entertained.

In addition to Rob, Kevin and Debbie’s long-lost brother Carl Webster, who has never been seen on screen, will make an unexpected arrival in his siblings’ lives.

She told how there are ‘big stories’ on the horizon for Kevin and Debbie that will ‘build up’ the Webster clan, with Kate stating that she believes the three big clans of the soap are the ‘Websters, Barlows and Platts’.

MailOnline has contacted Coronation Street representatives for comment.