First look at Coronation Street’s controversial Christmas Day deadly gun rampage
CORONATION Street fans will be left sitting on the edge of their seats following the Christmas day special this year.
In never before seen pictures from the episode the battle between Gary Windass and Derek Milligan finally comes to a climax - which could potentially see one of them ending up dead.
Derek Milligan (Craig Els) can be seen holding a gun at what looks like Gary Windass (Mikey North) in a dramatic showdown on the cobbles.
It comes after Derek has finally been pushed to his limit by the soap villain after months of being terrorised - which was brought on when he tried to sell the Underworld - a building that belongs to Gary.
The showdown between the pair in the Rovers Return is watched on by fellow pub-goers including former pub landlord Liz McDonald and Tracy Barlow - and they're left gobsmacked by the violent rampage.
Coronation Street boss Ian McLeod recently defended the controversial idea to use a gun in the festive episode.
The decision to use a gun in the Christmas special "wasn't taken lightly" and the soap boss understands how controversial it is.
He said: "I'm aware that the presence of firearms full-stop on Coronation Street is very controversial.
"But it just felt that there was an interesting side-avenue to what Gary's been doing that hadn't really been explored yet.
"Doing something involving a firearm felt like a realistic pay-off for the story we've been telling about loan sharking, the pressures of poverty, and the mental collapse that can cause for people."
However, fans of the ITV soap can expect some happier scenes - it's not all blood, violence and tears during the episode.
Meanwhile, Shona Platt (Julia Goulding) is determined to make her new husband David's birthday extra special.
She arranges for the both of them to take part in a treasure hunt - and makes herself the prize at the end of it.
The clues leading up to the prize end find David and the rest of his family in the centre of the battle between Derek and Gary - which could leave them in a very scary predicament.