Coronation Street spoilers follow.
Coronation Street’s Steve McDonald is left devastated next week, when he learns that his dad Jim has passed away. The bereavement bombshell sends him into a spin, but little does he know that it also derails a big moment for his partner Cassie Plummer.
As Steve reacts to the tragic news, he’s completely unaware that Cassie was about to carry out a romantic plan to pop the question…
“Finding out a member of your immediate family has died is obviously the kind of news nobody wants to hear,” says our Corrie source. “Cassie can’t believe she was about to carry out a surprise proposal just as her other half got the call.
“Once the moment has gone, she’s scared it will look insensitive if she gets down on one knee while Steve grieves. Has she missed her chance?”
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ITV
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Unbeknown to Steve, his girlfriend starts the week excitedly plotting to make an honest man of him. Cassie has it all in hand as Tim Metcalfe colludes with her to concoct a way to get his best mate to Victoria Gardens, hopefully without letting the cat out of the bag.
Nervous Cassie, who’s all glammed up, clears her throat and gets ready for her grand gesture – then Steve’s phone rings. Knowing dad Jim is seriously ill in hospital, Steve is on standby for an update so he stops Cassie in her tracks to take the call…
“Sadly, the call confirms Jim has gone,” continues our spy. “Even though Steve partly expected it, he’s still shellshocked. Tim eyes Cassie and the idea of proposing is swiftly forgotten.
“After pulling Steve in for a supportive cuddle, Cassie swiftly takes her fella to the Rovers. But a certain old flame of Steve’s is about to stir the awkward situation…”
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As the locals toast Jim’s memory, Cassie waits for Steve to look the other way and grabs the engagement ring before sneakily passing it to Mary Taylor – who was also on board with Operation: Mrs McDonald.
The sly exchange doesn’t go unnoticed by eagle-eyed Tracy, who can tell something is afoot, so she collars Mary and demands to know what’s going on.
Putting the pieces together, including the unusual effort Cassie has made with her appearance for a random Monday, Tracy works out that she was all set to propose – but Steve remains oblivious.
ITV
ITV
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Meanwhile, Steve breaks down to Tim as the loss of his father hits him. Just a few days earlier, Steve had the chance to visit his ailing parent in hospital but decided against it, as there’d been too much bad blood between them. Is he now regretting his choice not to say goodbye?
“Steve and Jim’s relationship was complicated,” our insider points out. “But at the end of the day, this is still a huge loss. As Steve starts making arrangements for the funeral, he still has no idea what Cassie had planned. Is this a sign from the universe they’re not meant to get engaged?”
If Cassie doesn’t own up about what she had up her sleeve, troublemaker Tracy might – but how would Steve react?
Coronation Street airs on weeknights at 8.30pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.
Read more Coronation Street spoilers on our dedicated homepage
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