Coronation Street's Stella Price is forced to offer half the Rovers Return to Owen Armstrong.

The desperate landlady - played by Michelle Collins - faces "complete ruin" as she can't afford to pay her bill for the renovations to the pub, but when she comes clean to the builder (Ian Puleston-Davies), he starts trashing the work he has already done, revealing he also faces financial ruin if she doesn't pay up, prompting her to make the surprise offer.

Michelle said: "It isn't something Stella is happy about, but if she is to stay living on the Street, she has no choice.

"Her only way forward is to go into partnership with Owen. At least she'll still have a roof over her head and a chance of making a go of the business. Owen just wants his money, but he also faces ruin - so he's left with no option either."

However, the deal is thrown into jeopardy when Owen sees Stella celebrating her engagement to Karl Munro (John Michie) in the Bistro.

Michelle added to Inside Soap magazine: "He's furious - Stella told him she was broke. It's [her mother] Gloria who is footing the bill - but the whole deal is thrown into doubt."