Coronation Street’s Bernie Winter was haunted by the past on Wednesday night as ex partner Denny, who is the estranged father of her children Paul and Gemma, showed up.

Soap fans will recall that Paul was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) last year leaving him distraught. He kept his diagnosis a secret for some time but eventually told husband Billy Mayhew and those close to him what he was going through. Paul celebrated what was believed to be his final Christmas with his family in December and it is expected that Paul will tragically pass away in the next few months before the end of 2024 is up.

Earlier this week, Billy helped Paul dress for his radio interview with Amy Barlow and assured him he’ll smash it. However, Paul was left furious when a taxi arrived for him and mother Bernie Winter as the car wasn’t big enough for his wheelchair to which the driver was rude and dismissive.

During Amy’s interview with Paul, he talked passionately about his MND and society’s lack of regard for disability in general, but got carried away and swore live on air, leaving Amy concerned about her radio presenting career due to the blunder. However, despite the swearing, the interview was a great success and it was revealed that a MND crowdfunder had raised £850. During the episode, a man in a van was seen listening to the radio and made a note of Paul’s name.

On Wednesday’s episode, the man was revealed to be Denny as he approached Bernie outside the café, telling her he heard Paul on the radio and didn’t realise his son was dying. Bernie was left completely shocked and quickly lied to cover her tracks, telling Denny that Paul is already dead and the interview was a recording.

However, Denny was suspicious and he followed her up to the flat where Gemma and Paul were shocked to see their dad. It wasn’t long until Denny dropped Bernie in it as he remarked that Paul looks great for someone that’s supposedly dead, leaving Bernie panicked. Both Bernie and Gemma made it clear that he’s not welcome to which Denny begged Paul to hear him out.

Later, over a drink at the Rovers Return Inn, Denny admitted to being an awful dad but promised Paul that he is a changed person. However, it wasn’t long until Denny kept buying the drinks as he got Paul drunk and he threw up, leaving Billy and Bernie furious. Wanting to protect her family, Bernie ordered Denny to stay away but the latter laughed as he reminded Bernie of her guilty secret.