'Coronation Street's new Rovers Return owner revealed

Coronation Street star Michelle Collins has announced that her character Stella Price is to become the new owner of the Rovers Return.

Stella is currently working as bar manager at the iconic pub, but it has now been confirmed that she and partner Karl Munro (John Michie) buy the business from Steve McDonald in the New Year.



Earlier this month, it was revealed that Steve (Simon Gregson) will soon decide to put The Rovers up for sale in a bid to ease his debts.

Collins told Lorraine today: "I've had my name above the door for quite a while now as manager, but now she's actually going to own it. They struggle to get the money together to get a mortgage. And they're turned down by a few people because they're 'too old'. But then you'll see what happens. It's quite exciting, being the owner of The Rovers."

Collins added that viewers can expect to see different sides of Stella's personality in 2012.

"I'd love to create another iconic character," she explained. "I think Stella seems to be a bit like the Mother Teresa of Corrie - suddenly she's everybody's agony aunt.

"They're injecting a little bit of steeliness into her. I think people have got to like you first, but now she gets involved in some big storylines. The love triangle between Carla, Leanne and Peter, she's very much involved in that."

She continued: "And then obviously Karl with all his gambling. Which I think is good, because I think there's a lot of that going on out there. I think it's a big problem and it probably will be a big problem because we're in this big recession, so I think people will relate to that story and how Stella copes with that."

Stella and Karl have been appearing on Coronation Street since June.

> Coronation Street's Steve sparks Rovers Return fears
> Coronation Street Sunita to make shock job decision
> Coronation Street John Michie reveals gambling storyline
> Coronation Street producer teases heartbreak plots
> Read more Coronation Street spoilers and news