ICON RETURNS: Coronation Street makes BIG ANNOUNCEMENT with Hollywood star for new Rovers ROLE

Coronation Street bosses have fired back in the battle of the soap pubs by signing up a Hollywood actor to take over the Rovers Return — alongside fan favourite Catherine Tyldesley. As the BBC’s EastEnders brings back Kat Slater (played by Jessie Wallace) and Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) to rule the Queen Vic, ITV’s Corrie is rolling out the big guns with Catherine returning as Eva Price and Irish actor Aaron McCusker stepping in as her on-screen husband. Aaron, 46, is best known for playing Jim Hutton, Freddie Mercury’s boyfriend, in the Oscar-winning film Bohemian Rhapsody, and Jamie Maguire in Channel 4’s Shameless.

The pair are currently filming their comeback scenes, which will air this autumn. Eva was last seen on the cobbles exactly seven years ago, when she left for France with her daughter Susie Price following the tragic death of Susie’s dad, Aidan Connor (Shayne Ward). A TV insider told The Sun: “Corrie bosses were never going to take EastEnders’ shrewd decision to reinstate Kat and Alfie at the Vic lying down.

“So they took their time looking for the perfect actor to play husband to Eva as she makes her return to Corrie as the new boss of the Rovers.

“When Aaron walked in, and once paired with Catherine, bosses knew they had the perfect partnership to run the soap’s iconic pub. Aaron will bring his Irish charm to the pub, and the chemistry between him and Cath is electric. They are both very happy and loved-up.”

The source added: “But Aaron’s character is also someone not to be messed with, and the locals are going to be in for a shock if they think they can take advantage of his good nature and that cheeky Irish charm. It’s the start of an exciting new chapter in the pub’s history.”

Cath originally left the ITV soap in 2018 and has gone on to appear in shows like Scarborough, McDonald & Dodds, and The Good Ship Murder. She also competed in the 2019 series of Strictly Come Dancing and appeared in Cooking with the Stars.

Speaking to Prima magazine, Cath previously opened up about her decision to return, saying: “Coronation Street feels like forever ago, but I always look back with such great fondness.

“They’ve asked me to go back a couple of times over the years, and it just so happened that I was busy with other projects.

“But if they approached me with an amazing storyline and the time was right, of course, I’d go back. So it’s always a case of never say never.”

Her return comes just as Corrie fans prepare to say goodbye to Jenny Connor (Sally Ann Matthews), who’s being written out after more than a decade behind the bar.

Sally Ann Matthews announced the news on Instagram, writing: “I was supposed to stay for five months but ended up doing an extra ten years because I loved it so much! It’s time though to play those parts I always hoped I would when I’d ‘grown up’. Thanks Trafford Wharf Rd for the memories and endless laughter x.”