Coronation Street switches out major character after 11 years ahead of explosive storyline

CORONATION Street is recasting a major character after 11 years – ahead of an explosive storyline.

Tyrone Dobbs’ daughter Ruby will soon appear on the cobbles with a brand new face.

Child star Maci Alabi has played Ruby since her birth in September 2012.

She briefly shared the role for six months with Grace Hanrahan, but has been the sole actress portraying her for 11 years.

However now she has decided to bow out of the soap.

A source said: “Macy’s starting senior school soon so wants to focus on her studies.”

Instead actress Billie Naylor will take over the role – and she’s already begun filming for an exciting new storyline.

She will be seen next week making her debut as Ruby goes up against her fire-starting sister Hope for a role in a stage school performance.

The step-sisters will both compete for the lead role in Glenda Shuttleworth’s Little Big Shotz summer spectacular.

With Hope – the daughter of serial killer John Stape – fully expecting to land the role, she won’t be happy to have any competition.

And she will think nothing of practising her solo in front of her sister.

So when Glenda announces that Ruby has landed the lead role and Eliza, Ciara and Hope will be her backing singers, Ruby’s thrilled but Hope very much isn’t.

But will Hope take her revenge on her sister? Or will Ruby – also the daughter of a classic Coronation Street villain in Kirsty Soames – fight back?

The source added: “It’s definitely going to be one to watch as the new generation show their personalities.”