Coronation Street: Simon Barlow’s drugs plot explained – Alex Bain has spoken out

CORONATION Street has launched a major new storyline for Simon Barlow as he’s drawn into the dangerous world of drug dealing. 

Here’s the lowdown on the drugs plot...

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What’s going to happen next to Simon Barlow in Corrie?

Viewers know that Simon has been manipulated into getting into debt by drug dealer Jacob - and forced to sell drugs to pay back what he owes. 

But Coronation Street bosses have revealed that the drugs plot is set to get darker in the coming weeks as drugs lord Harvey arrives on the cobbles. 

Harvey is set to appear on screen in March and drag Simon and Leanne into his dangerous world.

Spoilers have revealed that Nick and Carla will also be drawn into the storyline next week as Leanne struggles to keep her teenager under control. 

When Sam admits that he saw Jacob and Simon kidnapping a teenager, Nick marches round to confront Leanne - and warns Simon to stay away from his son. 

Later, Leanne is terrified when Simon brings Jacob round to the flat to count their drugs money, and retreats to her room before running to Carla.

Carla begs Leanne not to involve Peter and heads out to have a word with Jacob herself. 

What has Alex Bain revealed about Corrie's drugs plot?

Speaking about how Simon got himself involved with Jacob, Alex Bain told : "When Simon first met Jacob, he just saw him as somebody who cared.

"Somebody who listened to his problems, somebody who he could talk to about anything, no matter what it is, no matter how silly he thinks it is.

"Jacob does listen to Simon. On top of that, Jacob sees Simon's vulnerability and he thinks he can use it. Simon thinks he can get Simon to do all these jobs. Simon ends up beginning to courier for him and drops drugs all over the North West really, to be honest."

Alex added that his character Simon is "going to get too deep into things that he doesn't even know exist.

"He's been in similar situations before with gangs and stuff, but it's never been this serious. The stuff before was so much lower in severity, than it will be with this story."

The actor added: "Simon also feels like he has friends because of this. He's never really had people or friends who are close to him as much he wants. I think the gang filled that void a few years ago. He just wants to have that closeness with friends that he doesn't have."

What has Ian Macleod said about the drug storyline?

Corrie boss Iain Macleod has promised the drugs plot will be "thriller-esque" in the run up to summer.

He explained: "What we're trying to do with Simon and Leanne is find a way to play their grief that doesn't feel like grief stories that we've done and other shows might have done. 

“We've come up with something that starts quite small, but ends up turning into this colossal, thriller-ish, high-octane piece that will play out in the first six months of 2021. 

"It ends up with Simon being driven by grief and getting himself into an inescapable situation. 

“That forces Leanne to put her war paint on and go out in defence of her remaining son. 

“She takes on an incredibly dangerous situation in order to protect Simon.

"That ends up drawing in Nick and Sam – and it collides with Peter and Carla's love story too. It is a grief story, but it's far removed from being one woman sitting alone in a room and feeling sad."