In a bizarre twist this autumn, Corrie lovebirds Tony and Maria get engaged on the one year anniversary of Maria’s late husband Liam’s death.

Tony arranged to have Liam killed in a hit and run accident last year but has wheedled his way into Maria’s affections ever since, even helping to deliver her baby earlier this summer.

According to The Sun, he says: “You and the baby are everything I’ll ever want for the rest of my life. Marry me, Maria! I want you to be my wife and I want baby Liam to be my son.”

Maria ccepts his proposal, exclaiming: “Yes, yes, of course! Of course I will. Oh Tony, I love you so much.”

At Liam’s graveside Maria says her final words to her late husband: “You know I’ll always remember you, Liam and I’ll never forget what we shared together. But I know you’d want me to be happy.”

She adds: “So sleep peacefully forever, darling because the time has come for me to let go and move on.”

Liam’s parents Barry (Frank Grimes) and Helen (Dearbhla Molloy) aren’t as excited by the news as the happy couple and blast Maria saying: “You’re widowed only 12 months and here you are jumping into another man’s arms! It’s disgusting the way you’re rubbing our noses in it – and on the day our beautiful Liam was killed. May you rot in hell!”

This storyline will pave the way for the return of Carla this autumn and also for the exit of Samia Smith who starts maternity leave in October.