WHEN EastEnders legends Kat and Alfie Moon were reinstated as bosses of the Queen Vic, Coronation Street bosses could easily have felt wrong-footed.

Instead, in an epic battle of the soap bars, they’ve hit back by putting new management in place at the Rovers Return in the form of Cath Tyldesley and a very sexy new landlord.

She’ll be appearing behind the bar of the Weatherfiled pub with none other than Aaaron McCusker, 46, who’s joining the Corrie cast as the new husband of Eva Price.

Cath’s character left the ITV show seven years ago, and is making a spectacular return to the cobbles this week to make scenes that will be shown this autumn.

By her side will be Aaaron who starred opposite Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury’s boyfriend, Jim Hutton, in the film Bohemian Rhapsody. He also played Jamie Maguire in Channel 4’s Shameless.

A TV insider said: “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 her 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.

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.”