Coronation Street's evil businessman Frank Foster will be killed off in a forthcoming plot twist, a report has claimed.
Cast and crew at the Weatherfield soap will soon start filming scenes which see the twisted villain die as his dark storyline reaches its conclusion, according to The Mirror.
It is thought that police launch a murder investigation following Frank's (Andrew Lancel) death, meaning that one character may have resorted to desperate measures to get rid of him.
Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) will reportedly be among the suspects as the shock death rocks the cobbles. He comes under suspicion and is arrested because his ex-wife Sally (Sally Dynevor) was targeted by the rapist before his passing.
Although plot details are unconfirmed by Coronation Street bosses, a spokesperson told the newspaper that Frank's storyline 'had to run to its conclusion'.
Defending the soap's balance of dramatic and lighter storylines, the representative added: "Coronation Street's fantastic mix of drama, comedy and romance will continue into 2012."
Frank, who joined Weatherfield in January, raped ex-fiancée Carla Connor (Alison King) earlier this year. Maria Connor (Samia Smith) was also attacked by him, but she managed to escape his clutches.