Coronation Street star Alison King has been persuaded not to quit the show until next year after nearly a decade in Weatherfield.
According to The Sun, Alison was planning to leave the ITV soap in December – but the show’s bosses persuaded her to extend her contract until May, pushing her departure back to spring next year.
The actress, who plays factory boss Carla Connor, said: “There is still a lot to do with Carla yet.”
Alison King plays Carla Connor, who is struggling with a gambling problem (ITV)
Carla is currently at a low ebb, feeling guilty about the fire that killed Kal Nazir and Maddie Heath. Combined with her descent into gambling and alcohol abuse, this leaves her contemplating suicide in an episode next week.
Alison revealed: “She has reached the end of the line and she can’t face her demons any more.”
But Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) is set to finally reveal it was her who started the fire – while standing in the same quarry where the mini-bus crash occurred.
Tracy Barlow, played by Kate Ford, in Coronation Street (ITV)
“It is very dramatic,” Alison explained. “It is back where Carla almost died after the crash and Tracy saved her life so there’s lots of dramatic irony. Carla can’t believe what she is hearing.
“It is a huge weight off her shoulders but she is so angry with Tracy.”
After boyfriend Nick Tilsley (Adam Rickitt) goes to the police, Carla reveals Tracy as the real culprit at the Rovers Return.
The fire on Coronation Street (ITV)
Alison hopes the big reveal will be a tipping point for her character in tackling her guilt, explaining: “This revelation makes a big difference. Even if people don’t believe Tracy did it, Carla now knows she didn’t.
“As long as she knows and people who matter to her know, she cares more about that than Tracy being punished.”
