Sarah-Louise Platt is making her Coronation Street return as a barmaid in the Rovers Return, stepping back into the shoes of the character after seven years away from the cobbles.

Tina O'Brien, who plays Sarah-Louise Platt

Tina O'Brien, who plays Sarah-Louise Platt

Sarah will take Eileen Grimshaw's job which will lead to ever more tensions between Eileen and Sarah's mother Gail McIntyre.

The decision to get Sarah pulling pints means Tina will be at the heart of the show and will follow in the footsteps of such 'Corrie' legends as Julie ­Goodyear, Beverley Callard and Elizabeth Dawn.

A source on the programme told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "Being a Rovers barmaid is a big deal. It means Tina is going to be in pretty much every episode as there's always scenes in the Rovers. It's testament to how highly the top bosses rate Tina and her skills. It will propel her to a level of fame she didn't have the first time. Throw in a romance storyline and it is going to be a big year for Sarah-Louise."

On her return Sarah is set to embark on a relationship with bad boy drug dealer Callum Logan (Sean Ward) which will cause a huge rift in her family as Callum is trying to get custody of his child Max, the stepson of Sarah's brother David Platt (Jack P. Shepherd).

The character is also returning with her teenage daughter Bethany - played by Lucy Fallon - who is also set to cause trouble on the cobbles.

Tina, 31, is returning on a one-year contract which will be extended by bosses if viewers like her.

Speaking about her comeback, Tina previously said: "I am delighted to be returning. Sarah has a lot of history and unfinished business on the street and I'm looking forward to finding out what she's been up to and why she's returned home."