Reports that Helen Flanagan and Kevin Kennedy are set to return to the cobbles as Rosie Webster and Curly Watts have been shut down.
A source told The Sun on Sunday that bosses were hoping to woo Helen back from her maternity leave to fill the hole left by the seven stars who had quit this year.
Read more: Coronation Street’s Lucy Fallon ‘quit for Strictly’
“Things are pretty bleak behind the scenes,” they are quoted to have said.
“Bosses want to bring joy back, on and off screen. The plan is to bring back one or two high-profile stalwarts who are a hit with older viewers.
“They’re keen for Helen to sign after maternity leave. But producers will not budge on the gruelling schedule, and will continue the shock ‘modern’ storylines, even if they risk alienating older viewers.”
Helen and footballer Scott Sinclair – who already had daughter Matilda Jessica, three, together – welcomed their second daughter Delilah in June 2018.
Along with Helen, Kevin Kennedy was reported to be set for a return to the show, reprising his role as Curly Watts.
An insider said: “Kevin has previously said he wants to come back, so it’s about agreeing terms and finding the right story.”
Kevin, 57, joined the show in 1983 and quit in 2003.
Helen’s and Kevin’s rumoured returns come after it was claimed that six more stars are set to quit, following the recent departures of seven of the cast.
In the past three months, Faye Brookes, Kym Marsh, Katie McGlynn, Lucy Fallon, Connie Hyde, Bhavna Limbachia and Tristan Gemmill have quit and now it has been claimed that six more stars could leave in the near future.
Read more: Coronation Street SPOILER: Michelle grows closer to Robert
A source told the Sunday Mirror: “I know of another half dozen actors who are considering their positions.
“The bosses have had a series of meetings to discuss the situation, but don’t seem to have come up with any concrete plans. They’ve got this old-school mindset of ”no one is bigger than ‘Corrie’.”
However an ITV source has told Entertainment Daily there are currently no plans for either Rosie or Curly to make a return.
Would you like to see Helen and Kevin back in Corrie? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!