Johnny (played by Richard Hawley) took on the deeds to the Rovers Return on Coronation Street last year, following the untimely death of his son Aidan Connor (Shayne Ward).
The previous owners were Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) and Toyah Battersby (Georgia Taylor), but when the couple split following the revelation the landlady had passed off Eva Price’s (Catherine Tyldesley) baby as their own, the landlord took the offer of ownership from Johnny.
Since then, Johnny has been running the iconic pub with his wife Jenny Connor (Sally Ann Matthews) with the pair even tricking their fellow residents by telling them they are going to renovate the iconic premises of the ITV soap.
Attentions could be diverted in the coming months as Johnny bids farewell to his daughter Kate Connor (Faye Brookes) and tries to help Carla (Alison King) with her mental health, so could the pub see another change of hands?
Alongside Johnny and Jenny, the Rovers punters have been happily served by barmaids Gemma Winter (Dolly-Rose Campbell) and Emma Brooker (Alexandra Mardell), with the latter organising a whole manner of events to get the residents spending more money.
Emma has been seen helping out at the Rovers, as well as training as a hairdresser at the salon run by Weatherfield stalwart, Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls).
With the management skills and entrepreneurial spirt within her, it could be Emma who lands the jackpot and takes over the deeds from Johnny in the future, once she’s got some more experience behind her that is.
Speaking to Express.co.uk at the British Soap Awards and ahead of her win as Best Newcomer, actress Alexandra Mardell, 25, hinted her character could become the new landlady of the iconic cobbles pub.
When asked if Emma could become the owner of the Rovers Return, the actress replied: “You never know!
“She does love the rovers, she might and take over one day. But yes, I love working in the Rovers and the salon,” Alexandra explained.
Viewers will have to wait and see if Johnny does give up his beloved strong hold for the sake of his family, but for now, the landlord will be bidding farewell to Carla in upcoming scenes.
Following the powerful and emotive portrayal of psychosis in Friday’s instalment on Coronation Street, Carla was last seen in hospital, having been sedated after threatening to take her own life.
Carla has been blaming herself for the Underworld factory collapse earlier this year, which claimed the life of fan favourite, Rana Habeeb (Bhavna Limbachia).
After her lover Peter managed to talk her down from the Victoria Street fire escape stairs, Carla was assessed by a doctor and upcoming episodes will see her leave the street to attend a treatment clinic away from the cobbles.
Having stuck by Carla’s side, Peter agrees to go with her to be with the woman he loves, with Johnny bidding farewell to the couple as he is also in agreement this is the best move for his daughter.
