Coronation Street has confirmed Sally Metcalfe’s Christmas story, which will see the soap make a nod to an absent character. Sally and Tim have been faced with a turbulent time over the festive period after a troubled Joanie Michaelis recently lashed out and knocked over their Christmas tree.

Earlier this year, Sally and her husband Tim opened their home to Joanie, Shanice and Brody Michaelis after their parents Mick and Lou Michaelis were both arrested.

After noticing that Joanie was being abusive towards her little sister Shanice, the foster parents made the tough decision to involve social services, who sent Joanie to go and live with her aunt.

Since her return to Weatherfield, Joanie has been acting out despite Sally and Tim’s efforts to give the Michaelis kids an amazing Christmas following their traumatic year.

While things have certainly been tough since Joanie returned to the street, it looks as though Sally will turn things around for the Michaelis kids this Christmas.

In last week’s scenes, Sally promised the Michaelis girls that she would arrange a visit with their mum in prison on Christmas Day.

Tim attempted to manage Joanie and Shanice’s expectations, telling Sally that she should’ve checked with the prison first in case the girls would be left feeling disappointed if they couldn’t see their mum.

In scenes set to air on Christmas Eve, Sally feels guilty after telling the girls they could pay their mum a visit on the big day after it turns out to be impossible.

With the prison not allowing visits on Christmas Day, Sally thinks on her feet and comes up with a plan to cheer the whole family up.

Engineered by Sally on Christmas Eve, Brody, Joanie and Shanice turn up outside the prison, waving a banner which reads “Happy Christmas Mum” in front of a security camera in the hope that Lou will see it.

Shanice answers the phone with excitement to realise it’s her Mum and Sally and Brody are thrilled to realise their banner worked.