Don't quit Corrie, Kym!

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Kym Marsh left a gaping hole in Coronation Street when she went on maternity leave last year - and now TV bosses are pulling out all the stops to make sure she doesn't stray too far from Weatherfield again.

Producers are desperate to keep Kym after the recent departure of Katherine Kelly (Becky McDonald) and Helen Flanagan (Rosie Webster). Now, the 35-year-old actress, who plays fiery factory manager Michelle Connor, is being offered her best ever storylines to stop her leaving the show.

Kym, who gave birth to her third child, Polly, last March, met with her ITV paymasters last week, five months before her contract runs out - and is reportedly ready to sign on the dotted line if the money is right.

A friend of Kym's told The People she had felt sidelined after 10 months of maternity leave, but was delighted about landing bigger storylines. Former barmaid Michelle will be implicated in the murder of swivel-eyed sex attacker Frank Foster, and is also set to star in an explosive plot later this year.

Kym told The People: "ITV have been brilliant while I was on maternity leave and looking after Polly in the months after giving birth. The producers have also told me about other storylines they have planned for Michelle that I am very excited about." We're very excited too, Kym!