Alison King will return to 'Coronation Street' later this year.

The 44-year-old actress has agreed to reprise her role as tough-talking businesswoman Carla Connor in the long-running soap this Christmas after the show's new boss Kate Oates begged her to return in order to "break new ground" on screen.

Speaking to the Radio Times magazine, Kate - who became the executive producer in 2016 - explained: "Ever since I got here, it's been rumoured that Carla's coming back. But it was never true. Even the latest indications of it. Ali has only just signed her contract and she'll be back around Christmas.

"It's time to break new ground with Carla. I didn't want to put her on that familiar cycle of self-destruction, recovery, followed by more self-destruction."

Although the details of Alison's return are being kept tightly under wraps, Kate has teased that viewers will be on the edge of their seats as her alter ego will go head-to-head with her best friend Michelle McDonald (Kym Marsh) for the first time ever.

Kate explained to the publication: "What we'll have instead are these two strong Connor women - Carla and Michelle - on opposing sides and in conflict for a change. It'll be a refreshing dynamic for us to see."

Carla hasn't been seen on screens since May last year when her wedding to Nick Tilsley (Ben Price) was ruined and she fled the cobbles for what seemed like for good.

Speaking about her reasons for leaving, Alison - who played Carla for 10 years - said she had to take a break from the soap in order to spend time with her daughter Daisy.

She added: "All Daisy has ever known is me getting out of the house at 7.30 in the morning and getting back when she's in bed. I've probably only ever done about 20 pick-ups or drop-offs in all the time she's been at school, which is quite sad."