Coronation Street’s Bernie Winter-Alahan steps in to warn off Tracy McDonald next week – declaring that newcomer Mal Roper isn’t to be trusted. When Roy Cropper innocently recommends Mal as a capable electrician, Bernie speaks her mind.

Next week’s episodes see Mal’s behaviour around Bernie become increasingly creepy, which leaves her terrified. When he declares his feelings for her and she rejects him, Mal refuses to take no for an answer and vows not to leave Bernie alone.

Already struggling to deal with Mal’s harassment, Bernie is further spooked when she learns that he could stick around on the cobbles for even longer.

When Tracy pops into the café and mentions that her dad, Ken, is looking for a good electrician, Roy is quick to sing Mal’s praises for doing such a great job with the repairs in his flat.

“This is the last thing that Bernie wants to hear,” notes our Corrie source. “It was bad enough when Mal landed the temporary job working for Roy, meaning that he’d be a constant presence in her workplace for a while.

“Now with Roy recommending Mal to local customers, there’s a danger that he could extend his stay in the area and cause even more trouble.”

Determined that this can’t happen, Bernie wades into the conversation and warns Tracy to steer well clear of Mal.

Roy is baffled by Bernie’s reaction, but will she shed any light on her concerns or leave it there?

Earlier this week, Corrie bosses revealed that Mal will soon be at the centre of a mystery as he is rushed to hospital after being attacked by an unknown assailant.

Suspicion immediately falls on Bernie amid her issues with Mal – although by this point, she’s confided in people around her, including her husband Dev. This puts other suspects in the frame, too.

When Bernie is arrested, police detective Kit Green is put in a tough spot as he wonders how to protect his mum.

“Mal’s attack is not a good look for Bernie because she’s been heard threatening him,” Jane Hazlegrove, who plays Bernie, recently explained.

“In the end, telling Dev has not made it go away. If anything, things have got worse…”