Rob Donovan makes his return to Coronation Street this week, as Carla Connor's brother, played by actor Marc Baylis, makes a discovery. But who exactly is Rob, why is he in prison and who did he kill? Rob joined the ITV soap in 2012 as Carla's brother, and he soon embarked on a romance with Tracy Barlow.
Back in 2014, he murdered Tina McIntyre, played by Michelle Keegan, and he was later sent to prison. Since then, Rob has had appearances across 2015 to 2017, including when Carla found out her real father was Johnny Connor - while Rob also escaped prison at one point.
He has not been onscreen for the past eight years but what brings him back now and what is ahead for the prisoner? With his son Bobby now on the show too and living with Carla, what exactly has gone on over the past few years. Marc joined the show in 2012 as Rob, and he was close with sibling Carla. But Carla could not protect him when she found out he'd murdered Tina, shoving her off a balcony before hitting her over the head.
Shortly after when the truth came out about Johnny, Carla told Rob never to come looking for her and she made it clear she wanted nothing to do with him. Rob has sought redemption in the past, claiming to regret killing Tina every single day, but after his brief escape he's remained in prison ever since.
