[bbfan1991]

Coronation Street newcomer Stella Price will confide in Carla Connor over another dark secret from her past later this year, a report has revealed.

In forthcoming scenes, Stella will tell Carla that she was raped by an ex-boyfriend years ago - before adding that she has never revealed her ordeal to anyone until now, according to The Sun.

Stella, played by Michelle Collins, apparently decides to discuss her past after hearing that Carla has suffered a brutal sexual attack at the hands of her boyfriend Frank Foster.

Seeing that Carla (Alison King) is struggling to cope, the Rovers Return's landlady recalls her own nightmare because she believes her advice will help the businesswoman to come to terms with what has happened.

A Coronation Street source told the newspaper: "Carla is horrified to hear that Stella too has gone through a similar torment. The pair have a real heart-to-heart. They are both strong women and they soon become firm friends."

When Carla considers dropping the charges against Frank, Stella reportedly encourages her to take the case to court otherwise she will regret it for the rest of her life.

Viewers have already seen Stella revealed as Leanne Barlow's birth mother in a storyline twist.

Carla's tragic new Coronation Street plot begins next month.