Corrie's shocking Stella twist revealed?

Published May 4 2011, 09:15 BST  |  By Daniel Kilkelly

Michelle Collins's Coronation Street character Stella will be revealed as Leanne Barlow's real mother in a forthcoming storyline, a report has claimed.

According to The Mirror, the soap's bosses have been planning the shock twist for the past few months and the plot will be the biggest Corrie story of the year.

As announced last month, Stella arrives on the street in June with partner Karl (John Michie) and feisty daughter Eva, taking control at The Rovers after Steve McDonald decides to bring in new blood.

However, insiders say that the surprise Leanne twist is what drew former EastEnders star Collins to Corrie as she was "gobsmacked" when she heard the plot details.

A Weatherfield source told the newspaper: "This was genius by the bosses. And it makes for a massive future for Michelle in the show. There has been a lot of cloak and dagger involved in the arrival of Stella."

Although the plot rumours remain unconfirmed, the Corrie team have previously teased that Stella is "hiding a dark secret" which will have "shocking consequences" for some of the street's most-loved residents.

Jane Danson, who plays Leanne, has also promised that there are "exciting" developments ahead for her character in the summer months.

Stella was previously tipped to save Leanne from armed robbers during some of her first scenes on the cobbles.

> Read our Coronation Street spoilers and news