Tina McIntyre to be killed off in Corrie – Daily TV round-up

Michelle Keegan's 'Coronation Street' character Tina McIntyre is to be killed off in a dramatic new storyline.

Tina, who Keegan has played since 2008, will be murdered, according to reports, leading the show into a 'whodunnit' plot.

The 26-year-old actress announced that she was leaving the soap in April this year, and this new gambit from ITV is said to be part of the ratings war between Corrie and the BBC's 'EastEnders'.

'EastEnders' has recently begun a fightback, with Michael French's David Wicks and Samantha Womack's Ronnie recently returning to the show, while it was announced that Danny Dyer is to join the cast last month.

[Corrie's Beverley Callard: Co-star accidentally SET MY HAIR ON FIRE]

A source told The Sun: “They’ve been weighing up whether to kill Tina off and believe it is the best way to get maximum ratings. It will set up a cliff-hanger leaving viewers guessing who killed her.

“But Michelle’s fans will be devastated as it means Tina will never be able to return.”

She was reportedly set to leave the show next month, but has been persuaded by Corrie bosses to stay on for a further six months to see out the storyline.

[Michael Le Vell signs new Corrie deal]

Keegan recently announced that she is engaged to former 'The Only Way Is Essex' and 'I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here' star Mark Wright. [The Sun]

Also in today's press

Former 'Corrie' star Natalie Gunmede has suffered an injury to her back while rehearsing for 'Strictly Come Dancing'. It's thought that she has slipped a disc, and has been told by doctors to rest for 48 hours. It's not yet known whether she will perform on the show this weekend. [Daily Mirror]

Meanwhile, fellow 'Strictly' contestant Susanna Reid has said that her partner Dominic Cotton laughs at her status as a sex symbol. “He think its hilarious when people say I'm a sex symbol. He says if they saw me first thing in the morning, they wouldn't think it,” she said. “On TV I look half-decent because I've been made to look that way, but it's an illusion. I certainly don't look like 'telly me' off-screen. People talk about me embracing my sexy side, but I don't feel that way.” [Woman]

Stephen Merchant has revealed that Ricky Gervais's planned David Brent movie wouldn't be based at Wernham Hogg, the fictional company from 'The Office'. “It would be David Brent in isolation away from 'The Office',” he said. “I don't think we could open the doors of Wernham Hogg again.” [Digital Spy]