Coronation Street is set to welcome two new faces to the cobbles in October. Carla, played by Alison King, will have a shock when two more members of the Connor family make their presence felt at her Underworld factory just weeks after Aidan Connor (Shayne Ward) first arrived on the street.
While Aidan has supported Carla by investing in the business after hearing how her gambling debts were threatening its future, she is left wondering what she has let herself in for when his dad Johnny (Richard Hawley) and sister Kate (Faye Brookes) burst into the factory.
The newcomers reveal that Aidan hasn't been entirely truthful about where he found the money to invest, forcing Carla to go over the books with them.
Two new characters are set to join Coronation Street's Connor family
New character Johnny, played by Richard Hawley, is described as a "self-made man" who has "been in the rag trade for years and has a well-earned reputation". Although he is said to be "funny and charming", Johnny is "no pushover" which will surely spell trouble for Carla.
Meanwhile Aidan's sister Kate is said to be "a tough cookie and more than a match for her father and brother". Played by actress Faye Brookes, Kate is "full of mischief but passionate about family".
Johnny and Kate will join Carla, Michelle (Kym Marsh) and Aidan on screen from Monday 5 October.
Coronation Street's live episode attracted over eight million viewers
Confirmation of their dramatic arrival on the street comes just days after the cast impressed viewers with a live episode to mark ITV's 60th anniversary celebrations. The impressive feat saw 47 cast members, 85 extras and 260 technical crew members come together for an hour-long special viewed by 8.369 million people.
Much of the episode centred on drug dealer Callum Logan – played by Sean Ward – being killed off after he tried to hold Sarah Louise Platt (Tina O'Brien) hostage in her own living room, while demanding £20,000 blackmail money from her brother David and his wife Kylie.
The actor has since admitted he was "gutted" to leave the show, adding: "But at the same time it's right for the character. I hope it was a big shock, you want viewers to have a reaction to it…"