Carla Connor gets a big shock from brother Rob Donovan in Coronation Street

ROB Donovan has been serving a life sentence for bludgeoning Tina McIntyre to death in 2014.

This doesn't stop him from causing a stir in Coronation Street as his sister Carla Connor gets a surprise visitor.

Carla Connor (played by Alison King) is set for heartbreak this Christmas as Stephen Reid's death catches up with her husband Peter Barlow.

Actor Chris Gascoyne is due to leave the ITV cobbles after an emotional goodbye to Weatherfield, where he has remained for more than two decades.

Viewers have been trying to figure out how his swan song would play out but, as teased by spoilers, Peter and Carla are due for a tear-jerking goodbye as they part company around Christmas.

Coming up, Carla reveals soon after that she and Peter have called it quits and Roy Cropper (David Neilson) is concerned for her.

She later announces that she'll be working from home and rushes out into the Street, where she almost knocks a lad called Bobby over on the factory steps.

Later on, the mystery newcomer calls at the Street Cars flat and Carla buzzes him in expecting a pizza delivery boy.

But she gets the shock of a lifetime when he reveals that he's actually her brother Rob Donovan's son.

Bobby (Jack Carroll) spins Carla a sob story but Rob phones and puts her in the picture. 

Carla agrees that Bobby can stay a few weeks but only if he plays by her rules and the new character is thrilled to be with his aunt.

As Carla and Bobby head out of the flat in later scenes of the Manchester-based program, a van pulls up. 

When the driver opens the van doors, Bobby recognises all his possessions and realises that his mother must have sent them on. 

Carla’s gutted to realise he’s here to stay. 

Later on, Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) offers him his bedroom and announces that he’ll go and stay at his own mother's home.

Carla then finds Bobby in the Chariot Square bar chatting up Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) and drags him home.

But how will they manage to bond?

Recent scenes of the long-running drama have shown Carla having to wave goodbye to Ryan Connor, who left Corrie to go to Glasgow with Crystal Hyde.

Could Carla unexpectedly bond with her long-lost nephew?

Does Bobby know about his father's involvement in Tina McIntyre's death?

How will Simon, who was close to Tina, react to Bobby's arrival in the Street?

Coronation Street airs every Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 8pm on ITV.