Corrie fans tip Rita's cat as soap's next big villain after leaves her for dead

Coronation Street fans have got a new character to channel their aggro at.

Fans flocked to Twitter this evening after the Christmas Eve episode saw the continuation of last night's cliffhanger.

Yesterday saw Rita Sullivan, played by cast veteran Barbara Knox, in a dire situation after her Christmas tree came down on top of her.

One who wasn't in any rush to get help was her cat, Arthur - who didn't seem all that interested in his mistress's peril.

"The cats just like 'you ok hun' #CoronationStreet #corrie," one wrote.

Another stressed: "Such a beautiful ginger cat, unfortunately he or she couldn't care less about Rita laying on the floor like that, poor woman I only hope this isn't her exit from Coronation Street !? xx."

Rita's fate was left with a question mark over it (ITV)

A third laughed: "Loving that the cat in #CoronationStreet is giving zero f**** that Rita's slowly dying on the floor #MerryCatMas."

A fourth reckoned: "This coronation street storyline is proving that dogs >>>cats."

Last night left fans wandering if Rita would meet an even more gruesome end - thinking that the cat would eat her.

The cat looked on uninterested as his owner suffered (ITV)

"Rita's gonna die and her cat is gonna eat her face #festive #corrie #coronationstreet," one wrote.

But Rita didn't die, though the soap kept fans guessing if she would - she was eventually saved by Jenny and Mary.

In the meantime, Rita related tales of her life to Arthur - who still wasn't interested.

"Well Arthur," she said, "If this is it, I'm ready to go.

"I've had a good innings. I'm not afraid. What's there to be afraid of?

"I've loved and I've been loved in return. I never thought I'd spend my last hours with another red-head."

*Coronation Street returns to ITV for double helpings on Christmas Day at 8pm.