Major Coronation Street villain returning – and it’s bad news for Carla Connor and Lisa Swain

CORONATION Street boss Kate Brooks has teased a big twist for Carla Connor and Lisa Swain as a familiar face returns to cause chaos on the cobbles.

There are some things that are going to cause problems for Carla Connor (Alison King) and Lisa Swain (Vicky Myers) on the ITV soap – and one very big one in particular…

Carla's brother Rob Donovan returns to Weatherfield in 2025
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Carla's brother Rob Donovan returns to Weatherfield in 2025Credit: Rex
Corrie boss has teased there will be "many twists and turns... it’s really exciting. It’s going to be eventful for Carla and Lisa"
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Corrie boss has teased there will be "many twists and turns... it’s really exciting. It’s going to be eventful for Carla and Lisa"Credit: ITV

A big Rob Donovan (Marc Baylis) return!

There are other familiar faces coming back in 2025 which the Coronation Street boss cannot disclose, but a few people will be returning to the street to cause their own forms of chaos.

Kate Brooks teased: "We last left Rob languishing in prison. He made mistakes. He comes back to the show and we think he might be a reformed character who has seen the error of his ways, but whether that’s the case or not, I don’t know!

"He definitely comes back and causes a lot of trouble for Carla and Lisa. Just when Carla and Lisa think it’s safe to sit down and watch Netflix, Rob Donovan comes along and scuppers all of that.

"So, it’s a big story for them and a big story for Rob. Lots of twists and turns. It’s a big story for Betsy as well, who is fabulous and will be right at the centre of that.

"I love Rob and Carla. I love tapping into their history together, and we really explore that through this story.

"There’s so many twists and turns along the way, it’s really exciting. It’s going to be eventful for Carla and Lisa."

But is he back long-term?

Kate revealed: "It’s not just a couple of episodes – it’s a good chunk.

"It’s really exciting, and what I like about this story in particular is that Carla and Lisa are finally together and united.

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"Everyone knows about them and they’re moving on with their lives, and then this drops on them, and they’re like, 'How did that happen

"'Are we not meant to be relaxing and enjoying being with each other?'"

"So, it’s a real test for their relationship in the early stages, but a good test."

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Rob's return also means he will be reunited with his ex lover Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford), whose chemistry was unmatched.

Soap stars leaving this year

Soap has - or will lose some iconic characters this year - here we've rounded up the latest departures...

EASTENDERS

Navin Chowdhry

CORONATION STREET

Calum Lill

Bill Fellows

Launa Santos

Helen Worth

Lucy Fallon

HOLLYOAKS

Matthew James Bailey

Gregory Finnegan

Stephanie Warring

Annie Wallace

NEIGHBOURS

Ryan Maloney

Lucinda Cowden

The former flames planned to run away together after Rob broke out of prison, with Tracy helping to keep him hidden.

But then Rob changed his mind and handed himself over to the police parting ways.

With Tracy now single, will she be tempted to go back into her former lover's arms?

Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and is available on ITVX.

Rob has been in prison for Tina's murder
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Rob has been in prison for Tina's murderCredit: ITV
He was last seen on-screen after he broke out of prison and Tracy helped to keep him hidden
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He was last seen on-screen after he broke out of prison and Tracy helped to keep him hiddenCredit: ITV
Will Tracy and Rob picked up where they left off?
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Will Tracy and Rob picked up where they left off?Credit: ITV