Corrie fans were shocked when it was recently revealed that Jim McDonald will be returning to Weatherfield with a ‘secret’ daughter.
Loyal soap viewers will know that Jim and Liz had a child back in 1992, but were told she had sadly died after being born prematurely.
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However, amid some fans accusing the ITV show of rewriting history, the daughter is alive and will be introduced on screen in the coming months.
And it’s now been confirmed that 26-year-old Katie will be played by Hannah Ellis Ryan, a Manchester-based actress best known for her theatre roles.
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Katie was born on New Year’s Day in 1992 after Liz went into labour on New Year’s Eve.
The baby was born prematurely and placed in an incubator after doctors said she had little chance of survival – she was believed to have died the next day on January 2, 1992.
But, according to The Sun, Katie was adopted by a couple who moved to Australia after a mix-up at the hospital.
When she turned 18, she is said to have tracked down her real father Jim via his military records.
When Jim returns to Coronation Street later this year, he reveals the truth to a shocked Liz – and has DNA results to prove it.
Jim has been serving time in prison for armed robbery, but is set to cause a stir when he returns to Weatherfield.
Charles Lawson has already begun filming scenes, which are set to have a tumultuous effect on the cobbles.
If true, this is not just insulting, it's offensive. How many viewers would have suffered the same loss as Liz and Jim. The death of their premature baby, Katie, was beautifully told. You don't wipe out those scars with some far-fetched, insensitive plot twist. #coronationstreet
— Steve Coats-Dennis (@blondsteve) July 16, 2018
Fans have had a mixed reaction to the proposed storyline, with one blasting: “This is not just insulting, it’s offensive. How many viewers would have suffered the same loss as Liz and Jim. The death of their premature baby, Katie, was beautifully told. you don’t wipe out those scars with some far-fetched insensitive plot twist.”
Another said: “I will always love #Corrie, but I can’t defend this. Resurrecting a dead baby for shock value is so distasteful and cheapens the entire story which was pivotal for Liz. Please tell us this isn’t true.”
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