Coronation Street fans were left stunned as lawyer Imran Habeeb was killed off in tense episodes during the flash-forward week.
It came amid a battle between Abi Webster and Imran for custody of their son Alfie, with Abi determined to steal her baby away to Costa Rica armed with fake passports.
But things quickly spiralled out of control as Imran spotted her packed suitcase full of baby clothes, and discovered the documents she’d had forged for Alfie to get him out of the country.
With things getting passionate between Abi and Kevin again, Toyah stormed off to the police station to hand Abi in – but Imran, desperate to cover his lies about framing her for drugs, rushed to stop her.
What resulted was the pair both getting into the car to drive away, but after Kevin had fiddled with the engine to disable it in an attempt to reunite Alfie with Abi.
Though he later fixed the vehicle, Toyah and Imran ended up in a deadly crash which saw them both left unconscious, though Imran later recovered and was seen desperately trying to extricate his wife from the car, with falling scaffolding above them.
But despite things looking good, Imran sadly succumbed to his injuries and was killed off from the soap – months after actor Charlie De Melo announced he was quitting the cobbles.
Taking to social media after the shock death, fans were left grieving for a soap stalwart after five years on the cobbles – while others were just in hysterics at the “hilarious” special effects as the scaffolding began to collapse around the car.
And Imran was so desperate to get Toyah out of the car he repeatedly slammed on the doors, leaving viewers baffled.
One wrote: “Scaffolding is loose and coming down, here’s a great idea… hit a car door against it repeatedly!”
(Image: PA)
“Well banging the car door against the scaffolding was only going to make it worse!” another agreed.
“STOP SHAKING THE CAR IMRAN!” a third viewer posted, as a fourth said: “I think Imran made it worse by banging the car door off the scaffolding like he did…”
Another said: “Well now that might not have happened if Imran hadn’t whacked the door off the scaffolding!”
Toyah was told the devastating news her husband had passed away by a doctor as she lay recovering in hospital, after attempts at CPR failed.
A source told The Sun back in March that actor Charlie was leaving the cobbles, stating: “Charlie’s loved his time on the soap but the time is right to try new things.
“He’s hugely talented and very ambitious and wants to see what else is out there. He will always cherish his time in Weatherfield but for now it’s goodbye.”
(Image: Getty)
Despite his exit, Charlie is up for a National Television Award after his stellar performance as Imran, in the Serial Drama Performance category.
Speaking out on the news, he admitted he’s “out of his depth” on the cobbles, tweeting: “Well this is very thrilling and as close to a metaphor about my working life on’t cobbles as it’s possible to get.
“Well out of my depth, propped up, surrounded and bettered by extraordinary, talented, powerful women. Very proud to be in your company. Thank you.”
Fans quickly rushed to support him, with one writing: “Out of your depth?? Nooo, you’re a scuba diver! By far this year’s Corrie leading man and you’re definitely fulfilling the job well.”
Also up for the gong are Georgia Taylor (Toyah), Harriet Bibby (Summer), Maureen Lipman (Evelyn), Sally Carman (Abi) and Millie Gibson (Kelly).
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8pm on ITV.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
