The new Rovers Return landlady has been revealed in the wake of Jenny Connor’s (Sally Ann Matthews) axe from Coronation Street.

Legendary actress Sal, 54, took to Instagram on Friday to announce her departure.

‘I was supposed to stay for five months but ended up doing an extra ten years because I loved it so much!’ she wrote.

‘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.’

The decision has already caused uproar with fans, who have grown to adore the character throughout several stints in the last 39 years.

First appearing in 1986 as the troubled foster daughter of Rita Fairclough (Barbara Knox), in more recent years she’s stepped behind the bar of the nation’s favourite boozer – firstly alongside husband Johnny (Richard Hawley) and latterly with step-daughter Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan).

Unfortunately for Jenny, the cash that she and Daisy used to buy back the pub after it was threatened with redevelopment was stolen from Carla Connor (Alison King), who is keen to get rid of it as a going concern.

Glenda Shuttleworth (Jodie Prenger) has provided a camp flare to the pub since she took over as temporary manager, but everyone is well aware that this arrangement can’t last.

Now it has been reported that an old face is making their way back to the cobbles to take over.

The return of Catherine Tyldesley as Eva Price was announced in February, though the circumstances of her comeback have been largely unknown.

‘It’s one of the biggest jobs in soap, the landlady of the Rovers Return pub,’ a source told The Sun.

‘Bosses were desperate to get Cath back. They came up with the perfect storyline with her being unveiled as the new landlady of the Rovers.’

They also confirm that she’ll be back in the autumn.

Viewers will remember that this won’t be the first time Eva has pulled pints of Newton and Ridley.