End of the line on Coronation Street for devastated Mary – thanks to Tracy

Hurting Mary is low. Even for Tracy (Picture: ITV) Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) has committed some of the most diabolical acts ever seen on Coronation Street. But messing with sweet Mary Taylor (Patti Clare)? That’s a bridge too far. The Weatherfield uber-bitch has a rap sheet longer than her own enemies list, including bashing boyfriend Charlie Stubbs (Bill Ward) to death with an ornament during a strip tease, spiking Roy Cropper with a date rape drug to win a one pound bet, and causing the fire that killed two people and letting Carla Connor-Swain (Alison King) take the blame. Tracy’s mellowed since her bad old days, presumably because Corrie would like to keep the character in the show. Tracy has one of the darkest hearts on the Cobbles (Picture: ITV/Metro.co.uk) Make no mistake, the bitchy Barlow remains as ruthless as ever. And it’s still telly gold to see the acid-tongued vixen unleash her nasty streak on a worthy foes. Unless it’s Mary. Lovely Mary. Eccentric, cheerful and delightfully quirky, she just might be one of the nicest characters on the Cobbles. Who could say no to that face? (Picture: ITV) Which is why her pairing with Tracy seems as unlikely and strange as salad cream on chips. Yet somehow, it works – and works marvellously. It’s been a roaring success since Trace first employed Mary at her flower shop, Preston’s Pals, back in 2016. It was a classic “odd couple” pairing; the sharp, cynical, and lazy boss working alongside her eccentric, over-enthusiastic employee who could talk the hind legs off a donkey. The result? Hours of the audience howling with laughter. Who could forget when Tracy ever asked if Mary had slept with a woman, prompting Mary to reveal her wild trip to Muff. Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Muff, County Donegal, that is. Oh, and she was wearing ski pants. Because of course she was. But it wasn’t all laughs and eye rolling. Yes there may have been the odd moment where Mary vividly visualizes strangling Tracy until her knuckles turn white. But Mary loves Tracy, and vice versa. Best of friends, really (Picture: ITV) When Mary’s son Jude (Paddy Wallace) threatened to leave the country with her grandson, Tracy thwarted the kidnap attempt by locking Jude’s wife in the florist. Tracy doesn’t respect many people, but she genuinely respects Mary as an employee and dare we say it, a friend. However, all good things must come to an end, and next week’s trip to the Cobbles will see this dream team turn into a nightmare when poor Mary is kicked to the curb – courtesy of Tracy, of course. When Tracy offers her daughter Amy (Elle Mulvaney)the job of running the flower shop website, Amy’s over the moon. But it comes at a cost, as Tracy confides in Abi (Sally Carman-Duttine) that she’ll have to cut her staffing costs – by making Mary redundant. Is Tracy really going to fire her best friend? (Picture: ITV) Surely Tracy wouldn’t fire her beloved bestie for some shameless nepotism would she? Would she? Of course she would. She’s Tracy Barlow. Having realised that Amy being on board means she is out of a job, Maryhugs Tracy, thanks her for all she’s done brore heading out in tears. Tracy breaks Mary’s heart (Picture: ITV) Tracy feels terrible. As you should Tracy. As you should. Deals of the Day Cold mornings are coming and this is the dressing gown I want to live in We're adding this discounted NEOM gift set straight to basket Want an LED face mask for less? This Black Friday deal could save you hundreds This teeth whitening sale could save you up to 64% before Black Friday QVC shoppers can save £159 on Elemis' biggest beauty gift set of the year Is there any way back for the most beloved comedy duo on the Cobbles? Arrow MORE: Tracy poisoning drama in Coronation Street as damaging accusations fly The Soaps Newsletter – Weekly Sign up for exclusive spoilers and interviews, handpicked by our Soaps Editor.