ITV Coronation Street fans in disbelief as they realise Ken Barlow isn't Tracy's real dad

Coronation Street viewers have been left in disbelief after realising that Ken Barlow isn't actually Tracy's biological dad - despite the pair's current storyline

Coronation Street fans have been left scratching their heads after a surprising revelation that Ken Barlow isn't actually the real father of soap legend Tracy Barlow.

Tracy, portrayed by Kate Ford since 1977, quickly rose to fame in the soap, involving herself in numerous high-profile plotlines including scandalous affairs, feuds, and even an attempted murder charge.

Recently, the drama for Tracy has reached new heights as she discovered Cassie Plummer's (played by Claire Sweeney) role in poisoning her father Ken (William Roache), leading to Cassie being thrown out to live on the streets. In a twist of events this week, a vengeful Tracy seduces Cassie with drugs after inviting her over, reports Leicestershire Live.

Despite Tracy's deep-seated dedication to Ken, a burgeoning number of fans are only now uncovering the fact that he is not her biological dad. A member of a Facebook fan group candidly confessed: "Controversial but I was today year's old when I found out Ken isn't Tracy's biological father."

This post prompted another fan to clarify: "Nope it's Ray Langton."

Another equally astonished follower commented: "You're not alone, I didn't know this either!".

The soap's history reveals Tracy was indeed born to Deirdre Barlow (Anne Kirkbride) and Ray Langton (Neville Buswell) on January 24 1977, a good 18 months after the pair tied the knot in 1975, despite Ray making his first appearance on the show way back in 1966.

Ray, however, ran off to Holland for a construction job and left his family behind after it was revealed he'd had an affair with a waitress.

His character last appeared in a 1997 Corrie spin-off video titled Viva Las Vegas. Ray then returned to the street for a six-week stint in 2005, tragically passing away from cancer at Ken and Deirdre's wedding reception.

Meanwhile Coronation Street has officially announced that Tracey and Rob Donovan will be reuniting in forthcoming episodes, following fans' speculation of a potential reunion after spotting clues in a previously released trailer.

As regular viewers of the ITV soap will recall, Carla Connor was hospitalised with sepsis and subsequently informed by her doctor that she would require a kidney transplant. This medical crisis set off a series of events that led to Rob's return to her life.

Despite Carla's wishes for her family not to consider becoming donors, Rob was persuaded by his son, Bobby Crawford, to assist his older sister whose life was hanging by a thread. Although he eventually agreed to donate, his motives were not as altruistic as they appeared.

Fast forward to being confirmed as a match and undergoing the operation, Carla was roused from her recovery by prison officer Mandy, who was under the impression that she was in a romantic relationship with Rob. In reality, it was all part of his plan to break out of prison.

The situation escalated when Mandy, who revealed she was expecting Rob's child, realised she had been manipulated and decided to leave. Rob attempted to follow her, but Carla gathered her strength to charge at him, sending him tumbling down the stairs.

DS Lisa Swain confirmed Rob's death and prioritised getting Carla back to the hospital. However, when the police finally arrived at the scene, Rob had disappeared and has been on the run ever since.

A promotional trailer has been unveiled, hinting at the dramatic events set to unfold on the cobbles in March, including Rob's unexpected return to the Street. He is set to reappear in Weatherfield with a mission to find his sister Carla and persuade her to aid his escape.