Rob Donovan is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, portrayed by Marc Baylis.

[1] Introduced as the brother of Carla Connor (Alison King), he made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 9 July 2012.

[2][3] It was announced in June 2014 that Baylis would be leaving the role after two years following his involvement in a storyline where Rob was responsible for murdering Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan).

[3] When Carla and Peter leave Weatherfield for Los Angeles, Rob steps in to help Michelle Connor (Kym Marsh) run the factory.

Knowing that he cannot find the money to make a bid, Rob falsifies the accounts so the broker gives them a low valuation.

After becoming engaged, Rob and Tracy embark on a series of illegal schemes, which are witnessed by Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan).

On the night of his engagement party, Rob visits Tina and asks her not to tell Carla about the affair, as it will ruin her happiness.

Rob wasn't happy, due to Bobby disowning him previously when finding out about him killing Tina McIntyre, and feels he has only visited because he wants something.

[3] Rob was originally named "Darren" and had previously been mentioned in the series and by cast and crew members during interviews.

[13] In 2008, the serial's executive producer Kim Crowther told Kris Green from Digital Spy that her team had discussed the character.

Rob will "ruffle a few feathers" and "waste no time in setting his sights on some of Coronation Street's most eligible women".

"[3] Coronation Street's producer Phil Collinson added that he was pleased to welcome Baylis to the cast and branded him "the latest in a long line of handsome Corrie charmers.

[3] A writer for itv.com's official Coronation Street website described Rob as "a bit of a rogue with a twinkle in his eye", while Collinson called him a "handsome bad boy".

He will be leaving at the same time as Carla's husband, Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) so fans will be left wondering which man is punished for the murder of Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan) - the crime that Rob committed.

[21] The character's 2017 reintroduction was praised by Laura-Jayne Tyler, writing for Inside Soap, who wrote, "The highlight of Rob's return was what is perhaps the greatest comeback line of all time: 'I suppose a bunk-up is out of the question?