Aggie’s been away for a while (Picture: ITV)

Aggie Bailey (Lorna Laidlaw) hasn’t been seen in Coronation Street since the summer. Viewers have been missing the popular character – and of course so have her family.

Recently we found out that the reason Aggie hasn’t been seen on our screens recently is that she’s away from Weatherfield, looking after her sister.

While she’s been away things have been going steadily downhill for her husband Ed (Trevor Michael Georges). Various financial setbacks have led to him being drawn back into the world of gambling – an addiction that once almost broke him and that he’s tried to steer away from ever since.

With his family still believing that he’s being strong and keeping his addiction at bay, Ed has become increasingly desperate.

In coming episodes his dad Sarge (Ram John Holder) gives him some money to pay for the Christmas dinner, but Ed has a payday loan he needs to pay off as well as having to pay Tony (Sean Cernow) for work he’s done, and bets Sarge’s money on a horse.

The family get the sad news that Aggie won’t be able to make it home for Christmas, so they vow to make the day a special one for Glory (Eleanor Beckles) to make it up to her.

Ed doesn’t want to be in Weatherfield this Christmas (Picture: ITV)

Paul (Peter Ash) arrives with the cash he owes Ed, who’s glad he can finally pay Tony. But before he can hand it on, Sarge assumes the money is for him and Ed is once again empty-handed.

When the family go to the bistro, Ronnie (Vinta Morgan) gives Ed some cash to buy a round of drinks. He’s spotted by Tony apparently with money to spare and Tony is understandably furious that he’s still waiting for the money he’s owed and all Ed gives him is excuses.

He tells Ed he wants his money by the next day.

A worried Ed knows he can’t pay Tony so he decides to go to Birmingham to spend Christmas with Aggie and get away from his problems.

With his bag packed he’s just about to leave when Tony barges his way into the house.

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Ed’s phone rings and he sees the call is from Aggie. Tony threatens to tell her everything about the mess Ed has got himself into. A horrified Ed makes a grab for the phone, but Tony punches him, knocking him to the floor.

When the rest of the family get home they find Ed battered and bruised – and all the Christmas presents that were under the tree have gone.

How will Ed explain what’s happened?

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The family are gutted.