Coronation Street’s Johnny Connor will become the new landlord of the Rovers Return
THE Barlows have ruled the roost since day dot on Coronation Street but ITV bosses want a new family dynasty to start taking over — the Connors.
And to get them on their way the leader of the clan, Johnny Connor, will become the new landlord of the Rovers Return.
I’m told Johnny will buy the famous soap pub for emotional reasons, as it was the last place he saw son Aidan, played by Shayne Ward, before he killed himself.
A Cobbles source said: “Coronation Street bosses are really trying to big up the Connors as the new family on the block, and want them to be as big as the Barlows.
“There are big plans for them in terms of storylines, and first up is taking over the pub.
“It was the last place he saw Aidan before he went home to kill himself, so when he hears it’s up for grabs he swoops in and takes control.”
The pub has been owned by some of Coronation Street royalty, including Bet Lynch and Liz McDonald.
But owning such a famous institution isn’t without problems — and they seem to always involve a Battersby.
And before them, Michelle Connor, played by Kym Marsh, kicked out husband Steve McDonald after learning he was the father of Leanne Battersby’s baby.
And Steve, played by Simon Gregson, was forced to sell his share of the boozer to pay for the divorce.
Let’s hope Janice Battersby doesn’t make a comeback, she could be Johnny’s downfall...
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Ant facing hard times
ANTONY COTTON couldn’t have imagined that his latest storyline would hit so close to home.
His character Sean Tully will become homeless as he struggles to find a job and is booted out by pal Fiz Stape.
Sean is later mugged and tries to hide his plight from the locals.
Producers told Antony about the hard-hitting plot after a friend of his became homeless.
And the Corrie star said that had he not experienced someone close go through such a crisis, he may not have believed in the plot.
He said: “I’d have said that just doesn’t happen – Sean would not be in that position. Well, it turns out it’s absolutely true.”
The actor, who was in Dancing On Ice when his pal fell on hard times, helped him to find a job and home with the help of Manchester charity Barnabus.
He added: “It’s horrific being homeless. I’ve sat in crack clinics and places I never in a million years thought I’d be sat in.”
You can’t fault his commitment.
Bo Bear back on the box
HIS outrageous quips to celebs and unexpected trouser malfunctions were the highlight of Leigh Francis’ hilarious Nineties show Bo’ Selecta!.
Now the comic is bringing back The Bear as part of his new sketch show Keith Lemon: Coming In America. The ITV2 series, which starts on Thursday at 10pm, will see Keith and some of his best-loved sketch show characters, head to LA to try to crack the States.
Celebrity pals including Sharon Osbourne, Emma Bunton and Vinnie Jones will join him in his quest.
The Urban Fox, Big Fat Gypsy Kardashians and his impression of David Dickinson are also making a return.
At least he’s in the right place to get a really deep tan.
bizbit
JOHN Malkovich is to join Jude Law in Sky Atlantic’s The New Pope. The production begins filming in Italy in November and follows on from 2016’s The Young Pope, written by Paolo Sorrentino.
Staying in? Wes he can!
ON Monday night’s Love Island Wes Nelson learned the hard way how dangerous it is to try playing the field.
Just days after ditching Laura Anderson, he came back to the main villa to find himself a single man.
She decided to couple up with new boy Alex Miller – who The Sun revealed on Sunday has worked as an escort.
But Caroline Flack revealed Wes will stay – a change to the rule that anyone single goes home. Georgia Steel is also single after partner Josh Denzel picked newbie Kazimir Crossley.
The girls in the main villa were told they can choose to recouple with one of the new boys or stay with their partner.
They make new couples if they pick someone new and their partner does too. If not, they both become single.
But the newbies who weren’t chosen – Dean Overson, Jordan Adefeyisan, Charlie Williams and Savanna Darnell – were all sent home.
Clear as mud.
MOST READ IN BIZARRE
must watch
WHAT? Bride & Prejudice, 9pm, Channel 4.
WHY? A large age gap is at the centre of the final episode of the series exploring relationships in the face of adversity, as 20-year-old Shane and Elaine, 37, try to win approval from her parents.
soapbox
FINN’s devious plan has worked a treat on NEIGHBOURS.
Rita tells Karl she’s shutting down the MS trial due to the surrounding PR disaster.
Karl jumps to conclusions and blames himself while Susan is left devastated as it seems all hope is slipping away for her.
Meanwhile on HOLLYOAKS, it looks like James is beginning to fight back against Sami as he decides to search his office.
Elsewhere, Misbah plays mediator in Buster and Imran’s relationship by asking the former to let the latter go on a football trip to Barcelona.
But Buster’s grip on Ollie remains vice-like as he continues to complete chores as punishment for trying to buy alcohol with Imran.