Coronation Street newcomer Lou Michaelis comes up against yet another Weatherfield resident next week, when she chucks hair dye all over Maria Connor. Will the row turn into a long and bitter feud?

In an unexpected turn of events, Lou and Gemma Winter notice that Audrey Roberts is on the hunt for a new colleague to join her team at the hairdressers.

As a result, unemployed Lou dashes into the salon and makes out that she is a professional hair stylist with an impressive track record – which Gemma backs her up on.

“Lou and Gemma are quite the pair. It wasn’t that long ago that Gemma was trying to avoid Lou, but they seem to be thick as thieves when they’re at Audrey’s together,” our Corrie source explains.

maria connor, lou michaelis, gemma winterbrown, coronation street
ITV

“That said, Lou is only really in Gemma’s good books because she offers to help with the kids – which makes it possible for Chesney to go and work with Dev in London for a while.

“We’ll have to see if the friendship goes the distance, but for now they appear to have a solid bond.”

Having heard Lou and Gemma out, Audrey decides that she is happy to give the Street newbie a chance to prove her skills.

Later in the week, Asha Alahan visits No.5 to inform Gemma that her fiery friend is causing quite the scene at the salon. As a result, the mum-of-five decides that she’d better see what’s going on for herself.

maria connor, lou michaelis, gemma winterbrown, coronation street
ITV

At Audrey’s, Gemma finds Lou and Maria in the middle of an explosive argument – which soon descends into total chaos…

“Lou launches a pot of hair dye at Maria. As you can see from the pictures, Gemma can barely believe her eyes,” our insider shares.

“And as for Maria, she’s beyond livid and fires Lou on the spot. You can hardly blame her.”

Afterwards, Lou leaves the hairdressers, and Gemma follows closely behind. Once in private, Lou lets her guard down and explains that she has a son who she is incredibly worried about.

It’s yet to be seen why she is so concerned, or where exactly her boy is, but she is evidently cut up about his absence.

Meanwhile, Audrey reveals to Maria that she’s happy to give Lou another chance – especially given the number of clients that she’s already brought to the business. As Maria despairs with her boss’ decision, is her quiet life about to be turned upside down?