[1] In late 2004, it was also claimed that Violet would reveal to her new love interest, Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas), that she was HIV positive, but for unknown reasons, this storyline never went through.

[2] However, the serial's producers denied the reports and a spokesperson confirmed on Digital Spy that she had signed a new one-year contract taking her through to March 2008.

An ITV insider told the News of the World in July 2008: "Executives want to create a soap which is representative of society in 2008 and they are acutely aware they need more gay characters.

[8] Prior to Platt's return, Violet had been mentioned onscreen, with Sean often being shown as going to visit the character.

A former pupil of Ken Barlow (William Roache) when he was a teacher at Weatherfield Comprehensive, she addresses him as "Sir" during her time on the Street.

Violet befriends neighbour Katy Harris (Lucy-Jo Hudson) and is good friends with Sean Tully (Antony Cotton), whom she knew before moving to Coronation Street.

After some unease by Violet, who states that she had left home at a young age to live with an older, dominant man, she moves into 11 Coronation Street with Jason.

Violet suffers an ectopic pregnancy on New Years Day 2007, and has to have emergency surgery to remove her fallopian tube and the stillborn baby.

Sean tricks his boyfriend - sonographer Marcus Dent (Charlie Condou) - into telling him that Violet is expecting a baby boy.

Sean soon discovers that Violet is planning to bring up their baby without him, and when he confronts her about being pushed out, she tells him that she sees him as the donor, not the father.

Violet goes into labour on 22 February 2008 whilst in Rovers with Sean by her side and names her newborn son Dylan.

Knowing that Violet does not want any contact with him, he sets up a page under Liz McDonald's (Beverley Callard) name and asks her to e-mail some pictures of Dylan, who is now two years old.

He and Marcus who have recently reconciled, take Dylan out for the day and when they return, they witness Jamie leaving in a taxi.

Violet is later injured in a crash and is hospitalised with back problems and her grandmother rings Sean and requests that he look after Dylan.

After several months, Violet calls Sean, telling him she is ready to have Dylan back and he is reluctant, however she agrees he and Marcus can visit him anytime they want.