Michelle Collins and John Michie join as Stella and Karl

[alan45]

Michelle Collins makes her first appearance in Coronation Street tonight, taking on the role of straight-talking newcomer Stella Price.

As Steve begins his search for the Rovers Return's new bar manager, Stella arrives for an interview and it's immediately clear that she's the best candidate for the job.

Driving a hard bargain in final negotiations with Steve, Stella explains that she'll only accept the position if she can live at the pub and warns that she's keen to make her mark.

Once the interview is over, Steve continues to string Tracy along by hinting that the job is hers - all part of his plan to get her to sign the custody agreement over Amy.

Later, when Stella turns up at The Rovers and Tracy discovers that she's been duped by Steve, will it be too late for her to do anything about it?

[layla]

It's starting to get on my nerves the way soap characters use their children.

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Antony Cotton has spoken out to deny claims that the soap's team are unhappy over Michelle Collins's casting.

Earlier today, a newspaper reported that cast and crew at the Weatherfield soap were angry over Collins landing the role of Northern mum Stella Price, the new bar manager at the Rovers Return.

Since Collins made her debut on screen last Thursday, some viewers have criticised the Londoner's attempt at a Mancunian twang. Today's report suggested that show stars feared Coronation Street's credibility would be affected by the supposed 'backlash'.

However, writing on Twitter this morning, Cotton - who plays Sean Tully - commented: "Contrary to rumour, the cast and crew of Coronation Street have far better things to do than stand by idly gossiping about Michelle Collins. What matters far more than her accent (which is great IMO) is the character she is playing."

He added: "Say what you want about Miss Collins... she's so very watchable. And for that reason, this new family is exciting and intriguing!"

Catherine Tyldesley, who plays Stella's daughter Eva, also defended the former EastEnders actress during an appearance on This Morning today.

"There is absolutely nothing wrong with her accent from my point of view and she's doing an amazing job," she said.

Meanwhile, a Coronation Street spokesperson told Digital Spy: "The cast and crew have welcomed Michelle with open arms. To say they are angry about her casting or her accent is simply untrue and upsetting for everyone."

Coronation Street producer Phil Collinson recently described Collins's Northern accent as "great" and predicted that fans will soon get used to seeing her in the role of Stella.

[alan45]

Persnally I would be inclined to believe the rumours. I dont think she is an asset to Corrie and her accent is pretty crap too. The character of her ''partner'' I dont like either.

Corrie is going down the pan at the minute and they should concentrate on using the good characters they have rather than bringing in new so called stars.

[layla]

Don't mind them fetching in new characters. But please give the rolls to proper northerners.

Not a one of them are from Manchester.

Would have been more believable if they had kept their own accents. Not everyone who live in Manchester was born here.

[alan45]

Don't mind them fetching in new characters.

There is no need to bring in too many new characters as they have some wonderful characters who are woefully underused. Just because Michelle Collins was successful in Deadenders does not mean she should be as successful in Corrie. Corrie is or at least was completely different to EE although of late it has been making the decline to EE's level

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Jane Danson has spoken about the soap's shocking Stella twist for the first time, admitting that her character Leanne Barlow may be "furious" when she discovers the truth.

Show bosses have now officially confirmed that the Rovers Return's new bar manager is Leanne's birth mother, as first reported earlier this month.

Leanne finds out Stella's true identity in next week's Friday night double bill as she celebrates her 30th birthday at the pub.

Speaking to Inside Soap about the plot twist, Danson explained: "Leanne has never really given her birth mother a second thought because she's not been in her life. Her dad Les and stepmum Janice were together for a long time, so Janice always took on that mother role.

"Having said that, Leanne's always known Janice by her first name, so she hasn't called anyone 'Mummy'."

Leanne's husband Peter (Chris Gascoyne) is the first to discover Stella's secret next week, but it doesn't take long until the Weatherfield newcomer is forced to come clean with her daughter.

Asked how Leanne reacts to the life-changing news, Danson replied: "You'll have to wait and see! She'll either be over the moon to have her real mother in her life, or she'll be absolutely furious that she's been absent all these years."

Former EastEnders star Michelle Collins made her debut as Stella last week.

[xcarlyx]

Stellas fake accent is irritating.

[Perdita]

Coronation Street's new recruit Michelle Collins has explained her character's shocking secret, admitting that Stella Price was desperate when she abandoned show regular Leanne.

Weatherfield bosses have now officially confirmed that Stella is Leanne's biological mother following weeks of rumours.

Stella was in a relationship with Les Battersby many years ago but left him to bring up Leanne (Jane Danson) when she was only a baby.

Speaking to Soaplife about her character's history, Collins commented: "Stella was only 17 when she had Leanne and at first everything with Les was great. But then he started drinking and leaving her alone with the baby and she struggled to cope.

"She left with every intention of coming back for her baby once she was settled, but when that time came, Les and his family wouldn't let her anywhere near and she didn't stand a chance."

Leanne discovers the truth about Stella at the end of next week when the Rovers Return's new bar manager is forced to come clean.

Collins added: "Stella regrets what she did every day of her life. For the past 29 years, all she's wanted is to be a mum to Leanne."

Leanne hears Stella's confession as she celebrates her 30th birthday at The Rovers next Friday.

[alan45]

Michelle Collins has admitted that Coronation Street's Stella Price is "terrified" about being rejected by her daughter Leanne Barlow.

It has been confirmed that Leanne (Jane Danson) will discover that the Rovers Return's new manager is actually her birth mother next week. However, Collins has told Soaplife that a happy reunion between the pair is not guaranteed.

"It's a moment she has dreamt of for years," the actress said of Stella's "real mix of emotions" at meeting her daughter. "I'm sure that in her dreams Leanne breaks down in tears of joy.

"But Stella knows Leanne has every right to be furious with her and she's terrified that her daughter might reject her."

Collins teased how Peter (Chris Gascoyne) discovers the truth next week, when he finds a picture of his wife inside Stella's purse.

"Peter discovers this and wants to know what the hell is going on," she said. "Peter's very understanding and certainly doesn't force her hand, but it ends up being revealed."

Danson recently claimed that Leanne will either be "over the moon" to meet her mother or be "absolutely furious" that she abandoned her as a child