Coronation Street producer Stuart Blackburn has expressed his hopes that Rob Donovan and Peter Barlow won't be leaving Weatherfield for good.

Marc Baylis, who plays Rob, and Chris Gascoyne, who plays Peter, are both due to bow out of the soap this year, although details of their exits are currently under wraps.

Speaking to Inside Soap, Blackburn said: "With both of them, I hope it is a case of 'Goodbye... but we will see you again soon!'

"It is incredibly hard to let either one go. You never want to lose anyone from Coronation Street with the surname Barlow, and Rob has just grown and grown as a character in the last year."

Blackburn also teased Tracy Barlow's reaction to discovering that Rob is Tina McIntyre's killer.

He said: "Tracy has recently come to recognise how others see her - as a slightly deluded monster! But she has changed, and she believes Rob has helped her to become a better person.

"For Tracy, this man's love matters more than anything else - so when his lies come spilling out, she will be absolutely heartbroken. But, don't forget that it is in Tracy's DNA to put herself first at all costs."

Coronation Street airs tonight at 7.30pm on ITV.