Cassie Plummer was left startled when she realised she knew new Coronation Street character Ross Wilkes, played by actor Ian Burfield, in the latest episode of the ITV soap

Ross Wilkes in Coronation Street has been identified, after a panicked reaction from Cassie Plummer in the latest episode of the ITV soap.

Cassie hit the booze at the hotel after her proposal rejection from partner Steve McDonald. After getting drunk she began flirting with a mystery man, played by actor Ian Burfield, at the bar, and he seemed to be enjoying the attention.

But as he prepared to leave, he soon turned on Cassie. Mocking her for being drunk, he rejected her before claiming he had no interest in her, also calling her a "hooker".

Cassie slammed the man for his behaviour, but he continued to mock her before leaving. But when Cassie noticed his name on his bar bill, she was left reeling.

The camera zoomed in on the name, revealing the guy was Ross Wilkes. So where does Cassie know him from, and why was she so panicked about him being there?

Spoilers have confirmed exactly who Ross is, and it will explain Cassie's reaction in that scene. Ross is the long-lost biological father of Cassie's son Tyrone Dobbs.

His arrival comes about after Tyrone's daughters Hope and Ruby decide to surprise him. After sending off a sample of Tyrone's DNA without telling him, they have tracked down Ross.

The girls invite Ross to the Cobbles to meet Tyrone as a surprise. Of course Cassie has not seen Ross in over 40 years. She failed to recognise him, and it's only when she saw the name on the bill that she realised who he was.

It's not clear if Ross realised who Cassie was, while more is set to be revealed about their past and what happened. But will Ross expose Cassie to Steve, and will Tyrone give Ross the time of day?

It is all set to lead to the departure of Cassie, played by actress Claire Sweeney. Claire quit the role after three years after landing her dream role as Miss Hannigan in the musical Annie.

Speaking about her exit from the show, which will air in the coming months, Claire told the Mirror: "I’ve had wobbles all the way along. I keep saying to people: ‘oh God, am I doing the right thing?’

"You’re part of a family at Coronation Street, you feel safe and protected and leaving is like stepping out into the big, wide world again. It feels like I’ve broken up with a boyfriend I’m still in love with.

"I’ve loved Corrie and leaving bears no reflection on the job, the people and the work. It was just that my phone pinged and it was the producer of Annie saying ‘right, do you want to do Miss Hannigan.’

"I’d been hounding him for years for this part and I just thought – ‘if I don’t do it now, it might never come again.’ But I think it’s the hardest job I’ve ever had to leave and my exit is very sad; I had a little weep over my leaving scenes. I got quite emotional."

Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITV X. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .