Meet Stella and Karl, the new Rovers owners
 

http://www.itv.com/coronationstreet/...q=70&v=1&w=630

We can confirm that Michelle Collins and John Michie are set to join Coronation Street as new Rovers couple Stella and Karl, following Liz's departure.

Ex-EastEnder Michelle and Taggart star John, will step onto the cobbles next month to begin recording scenes that will air in June.

Stella’s brought into the Rovers by owner Steve McDonald after a series of bust-ups with wife Becky leave the pub’s future in jeopardy.

When Steve employs Stella as his new bar manager he’s looking for an easier life, but he gets more than he bargained for when she promptly moves in partner Karl and her gorgeous but feisty daughter Eva, who’s yet to be cast.

Life is about to get a whole lot more complicated in the Rovers! Sparks will fly, not least with Becky McDonald, but as the dust settles, Stella’s warm but no-nonsense personality makes her a hit with the locals.

Alongside laid back charmer Karl, Stella’s the perfect front of house landlady, but she’s hiding a dark secret and in true soap style, it won’t be long before the truth comes out.

News of Stella’s past will have shocking consequences for some of the Street’s most-loved residents. It will also take Stella and Karl’s relationship down a rocky road.

Executive Producer Kieran Roberts said: “I'm thrilled to be welcoming John and Michelle to the cast of Coronation Street. In Taggart, John has kept viewers on the edge of their seats for the last ten years. Karl is a very different character for him though and the ladies of Weatherfield need to watch themselves, as this sexy charmer will quickly make his presence felt. Michelle's acting credentials are first class with more than a decade leading some brilliant and memorable drama series. I am certain she is going to be fantastic as the warm, funny, steely, flawed and larger-than-life northern matriarch Stella. Karl and Stella's fiery marriage is sure to keep viewers hooked through 2011 and beyond."

Michelle is best-known for her role as Cindy Beale - the unfaithful wife of Ian Beale in EastEnders. She has also appeared in television dramas including Two Thousand Acres of Sky and Real Women.

John has played DI Robbie Ross in Taggart since 1998. He has also appeared in Casualty and Heartbeat.

Keep up to date with all the latest events on the cobbles by following us on Twitter @itvcorrie and on the official Facebook fan page.

Kirk and Tyrone

lmao that would be pretty cool actually

The new Rovers landlords will be Sean Tully and Marcus Dent.

Who from EE is rumoured to be the new landlady? :conf:

Michelle Collins

what about Kevin, he has the cash after all?

People on Facebook had been speculating it was John on the roof or the landlady thing, Corrie replied

"Oh, no one is close to guessing yet! We've just got some pictures through to post soon......"

hate when they tease like that LOL

Apparently the press are actually at the set, so it sounds big

It's finishing!

It sounds like it might be a new family

Oooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhh...... *fidgets*

It'll be announced tommorow now

Ooh the buggers!

Wonder what it is? There were pictures of Teh Stape on the roof in the paper today so cannot be that.

Maybe they've put tram prices up......

Bus fares went up last week so wouldn't surprise me...:tongue:

Rita might be going for a blue rinse :shocked:

Big departure perhaps? Bill Roache retiring?

Maybe a big name but I'd doubt Bill Roache.

I reckon it's a casting or a return

New family maybe? For No.13 Coronation Street

Do we know yet? Wasn't Rosie was it?! :sleep:

from FB

Don't use FB. I'll catch it here I suppose. They're bloody dragging it out

I bet it's the new landlady lol

I take it this never happened..........

I think it was Michelle Collins being announced as the new landlady.

Oh. What a load of shat news that is :(

Updated teh thread

Thankyooooo :D

Looking forward to them taking over

Hope she acts better than she did as Cindi Beale

I take it her "Desperate Housewives" audition didn't go well.

I don't see why people hold grudges against soap actors, she tried to break America, she didn't, so what? At least she tried

I hold no grudge. I just think she's a sh!t actress :joker:

That's fair enough lmao

I do too Kerry,

I don't mind Michelle Collins, but cannot stand that bloke out of Taggart :sleep: And he is obviously going to be the new "hunk" when he is fugly & about 50... :rolleyes:

No grudge. If she's good then that's great, but one audition is hardly trying to "crack America".lol