Emma (played by Alexandra Mardell) has been a delightful addition to Coronation Street since arriving on the cobbles last year as an apprentice at Audrey Roberts’ (Sue Nicholls) salon.
The Rovers Return barmaid has portrayed many comical moments over the past 12 months, but her infectious attitude is soon to change.
Not much is known about Emma’s past, but scenes set to air on the ITV soaps in the coming weeks will see the gleeful barmaid take centre stage in a heartbreaking storyline.
Giving the opening for former Weatherfield resident Fiona Middleton (Angela Griffin) to return as Emma’s mother, the returnee will bring with her some devastating news.
It’s going to be really tough for her
A source
Emma will learn the man who she knew as her father has died, which plants the seeds for a long-running storyline the usual chirpy character is set to embark on.
“Emma hasn’t mentioned her family much since arriving on the cobbles but she does love them,” a source told The Sun.
“She’s going to be completely devastated by the sudden death of her dad. She was the apple of his eye and she worshipped him.
“It’s going to be really tough for her. Especially when her mum Fiona tells her the heartbreaking news,” the source continued.
Maria Connor (Samia Longchambon) will be on hand to comfort Emma in wake of the news as Fiona Middleton star Angela Griffin, 42, is only reprising her role for a handful of scenes.
Recent on location pictures have shown Emma crying at her father’s graveside, with Maria accompanying her to the funeral.
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However, Emma’s grief will also be paired with despair as she discovers her father is actually Coronation Street stalwart Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson).
With the entire course of her life turned on its head, Emma will struggle to accept the man who raised her isn’t actually her father.
Before her exit in 1998, Fiona was in a relationship with Steve but their romance came to an end when she discovered he’d slept with her best friend Maxine Peacock (Tracy Shaw).
The paternity of Fiona’s children has been put under the spotlight before after the birth of her son Morgan.
Fiona was having an affair with Steve’s father Jim McDonald (Charlie Lawson) in the lead up to her wedding to Alan McKenna (Glenn Hugill), leading her to question who was the father of her child.
Although Jim was convinced the child was his, it was Alan who was revealed to Morgan’s biological father, but now Steve will be in the same predicament.
“Angela’s return is short and sweet but it has huge implications for Steve,” the TV insider continued.
“She’s back on screens and will find out that the dates that he was with Fiona tally up to when Emma was born.”
This means Emma will the step-daughter of Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) as well as the sister of Amy Barlow (Elle Mulvaney) and Steve’s young son Ollie, so it’s no wander the chirpy barmaid will struggle to come to terms with the news.
Tracy’s attentions may be diverted elsewhere as the drama with Steve unravels as the fiery florist could be set to commit another murder on the cobbles.
Coronation Street continues tonight at 7.30pm on ITV.
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