Coronation Street's Maria Connor will cause seasonal aggro on the cobbles as a result of her relationship with Gary Windass.
Maria will find herself in a particularly cold place as the residents of Weatherfield blame Gary for his role in causing a particularly noxious Christmas Day to unfold.
The soap's hour-long Christmas episode this year sees Gary's enemy Derek Milligan (Craige Els) arrive at the Rovers Return looking for Gary and wielding a gun.
A siege and shoot-out ensues at the pub and the Weatherfield Winter Wonderland.
Speaking at a Coronation Street press event, Mikey North, who plays Gary, told Digital Spy). "everyone turns against Gary and Maria.
"We're pushed out and isolated. Everyone hates us. That will probably bring them closer together. It's because people are going to blame Gary for what happens at Christmas."
"She thinks Gary is a hero," says Samia Longchambon who plays the ill-fated Maria character. "She thinks everyone should be bowing down to Gary.
"She completely gets it wrong. She doesn't understand why they're being nasty towards Gary, even though he's caused it."
Coronation Street can be seen on Monday, Wednesday and Friday on ITV and Virgin Media Two.
