Carla Connor (Alison King)

[Perdita]

The rumours are finally true: Coronation Street is bringing back Carla Connor.

More than one year on from her departure following a disastrously failed wedding, Alison King has signed on to return to Corrie at Christmas and we'll see her in an explosive storyline alongside Kym Marsh (via the Radio Times).

Producer Kate Oates has promised a brand new spin on the character who has battled alcoholism and was even a murder suspect in her dark past.

"Ever since I got here, it's been rumoured that Carla's coming back. But it was never true. Even the latest indications of it," Oates said. "Ali has only just signed her contract and she'll be back around Christmas.

"It's time to break new ground with Carla. I didn't want to put her on that familiar cycle of self-destruction, recovery, followed by more self-destruction.

"What we'll have instead are these two strong Connor women – Carla and Michelle – on opposing sides and in conflict for a change. It'll be a refreshing dynamic for us to see."

While the tough-talking Carla has been a lifelong friend of Michelle Connor (Kym Marsh), she's equally as remembered for her notorious feud with Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford).

Perhaps the person most happy about Alison's return to Corrie is her on-and-off screen friend Kym Marsh, who said she was hopeful of a reunion when chatting to Digital Spy earlier in the year.

"I keep trying to tempt [actress Alison King]. She's busy and she's a mum as well," Marsh told us. "She's got her own personal life and everything. I personally would love to see Carla return. I think Michelle misses her, like a double act.

"Now [Michelle's] not with Steve, it would be more of a double act. So, who knows?"

Digital Spy


Great news but why storyline with Michelle

[LouiseP]

I think Alison King was having trouble finding other work! She needs to pay the mortgage.

[Perdita]

I think Alison King was having trouble finding other work! She needs to pay the mortgage.

She is married or has a partner so I doubt that is the reason. She might just miss playing her character or working with the other cast members. She had a break and is ready to return. I hope she returns as the old feisty Carla and not the whimpering scared woman she was at the end. And Tracy needs her comeuppance for causing the fire and getting away with it Go Carla, Go Go Go !!

[tammyy2j]

I feel she will be put back with Peter

[Perdita]

I feel she will be put back with Peter

Would not surprise me ... same old, same old ...

[tammyy2j]

Would not surprise me ... same old, same old ...

I would like her to return with a Nick or Robert Junior

[LouiseP]

She is married or has a partner so I doubt that is the reason. She might just miss playing her character or working with the other cast members. She had a break and is ready to return. I hope she returns as the old feisty Carla and not the whimpering scared woman she was at the end. And Tracy needs her comeuppance for causing the fire and getting away with it Go Carla, Go Go Go !!

I don't think women rely on a partner to keep them the days plus she has had multiple partners but doesn't have one at present. http://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-n...nnor-departure
http://liverampup.com/entertainment/...t-married.html

[lizann]

She is married or has a partner so I doubt that is the reason. She might just miss playing her character or working with the other cast members. She had a break and is ready to return. I hope she returns as the old feisty Carla and not the whimpering scared woman she was at the end. And Tracy needs her comeuppance for causing the fire and getting away with it Go Carla, Go Go Go !!

did she not split from her husband, partner or baby daddy as there were rumours of her getting with co stars shayne ward and ryan thomas

did alison act in anything since she left the street?

[Perdita]

Coronation Street boss Kate Oates has teased tension between Carla Connor and her long-term best friend Michelle when she returns to Weatherfield.

It was confirmed back in August that Alison King was reprising her role as fan favourite Carla, who will be on her way back to the Cobbles at Christmas.

And while most details about her comeback are being kept under wraps, viewers can expect to see some big changes for the character – in particular when it comes to her friendship with Michelle.

Speaking to What's On TV, Kate said: "I am definitely keen to explore different sides of their relationship."

"They have obviously got Robert in common now which is interesting, but their friendship is really strong, so anything that challenges it will have to feel very truthful and quite deep.

"I just want to explore the dynamics – [it] would be a shame to leave everything as is. What's good about these long-standing friendships is when you challenge them and see what could potentially break them.

"But that is not the storyline that brings her in, what brings her in is something a bit more unexpected."

Carla bowed out of Corrie in June 2016 – following her disastrous wedding to Nick Tilsley – who she'd cheated on with Michelle's current partner Robert.


Digitl Spy

[parkerman]

What's good about these long-standing friendships is when you challenge them and see what could potentially break them.

Why is that good? Why can't people just be left as friends? Why do we have to look at ways of breaking up long-standing friendships?