As Coronation Street’s Steve McDonald sells his half of the Rover’s Return, all the theories on who could buy him out
Could an old favourite like Bet Lynch return or will Michelle take over the Rover's?
CORONATION Street fans might be seeing a new landlord behind the bar at the Rover’s Rover following Michelle Conor’s split from Steve McDonald.
With Michelle waging war on her husband Steve and demanding half of his assets after discovering he’s the father of Leanne Battersby’s child, the landlord and his mum are having to sell the Rovers to pay the bill but who will be going behind the bar?
We look at the Wetherfield residents who would love to be pulling pints at the famous establishment.
Peter Barlow
Peter could be the most likely Weatherferld resident to try and buy the famous pub.
The recovering alcoholic – who is played by actor Chris Gascoyne – will shock his family when he puts his businesses on the market and reveals his plans for the money – with fans speculating he could be about to buy the Rovers.
When an estate agent arrives at Preston’s Petals, Tracey’s shop, and tell her the owner has instructed them to put the building on the market, she’s furious and takes her rage out on her brother.
But as he tells her and their dad Ken what he plans to do with the money, they think he’s mad to even consider it with his illness.
Will the troubled character be able to hold it together if he goes behind the bar?
Michelle Connor
The barmaid – who is played by actress Kym Marsh – locked Steve and mum Liz out of the Rovers after she discovered husband Steve McDonald was the father of Leanne Battersby’s baby Oliver.
Coming from a business family, Michelle could raise the cash to buy the pub as Steve has to sell his half to pay her off in the divorce.
Becoming the landlady would be the perfect revenge against Steve who humiliated her by announcing he was Oliver’s father at the bistro in front of Michelle and the Platt family.
Aidan Connor
Aidan Connor, a cousin of Michelle’s, could also stump up the funds to buy the pub or he could go into business with her.
Played by Shayne Ward, Aidan owns 40 per cent of the factory so he would have the collateral to back up another venture.
Dev Alahan
Dev is another resident businessman on the cobbles owning the local corner shop as well as a number of others.
While he has a lot on his plate looking after his children, Amber, Aadi and Asha, Dev – played by Jimmi Harkishin – would relish being the face that greets the punters at the Rovers so he may put in an offer.
Bet Lynch
One of the street’s most popular and well-loved characters, Bet Lynch – played by Julie Goodyear – was an iconic stalwart at the Rover’s for years.
Bet last returned to Corrie in 2003 but viewers would no doubt love to see her leopard print and blonde hair behind the bar once again.
It would be quite the shock for those on the street if she popped up to take over the pub once again
Natalie Barnes
Denise Welch played bubbly barmaid Natalie Barnes until 2000 but left the cobbles after discovering she was pregnant with the child of her on-off lover Vinny Sorrell.
She discovered he was sleeping with her sister – and booted them out of her home – before deciding to sell the Rovers and bring up her baby outside of Weatherfield.
Denise recently hinted at a way her character could return to the ITV soap but an even bigger twist would be to see her take over the Rover’s again.
Shelley Unwin
Finally, remember Shelley who took over the pub with mum Bev?
Sally Lindsay, who played Shelley, recently said she would never rule out a return to the cobbles so maybe she could free up her schedule if her old business became available again?
Shelley, who was married to bigamist Peter Barlow, left Weatherfield after splitting from abusive boyfriend Charlie Stubbs, who was later killed by Tracy Barlow.
Shelley was pregnant with his child when she left in 2006 so could she return with a child in tow?
Who would you like to see take over the Rover’s?
Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights on ITV
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