In his interview which was released this morning, Blackburn said:
"On top of that, what starts this story is the return of a character from Katy, Owen and Izzy's past - although it's a new face for us rather than a past Coronation Street character.

Thoughts?

There mother and Owen's ex wife, she walked out on them.

It's got to be the girls mother.

I hope it's their mother. I could see a war starting between Anna and her

I'd imagine it being the mother...

Agree with the previous posters. Must be Owen's ex-wife.

My thought was the mother too. I can't remember if she died or walked out?

Well if she's returning .... hang on, this is Corrie. Could be either. Why 'return', have we seen her before?

The interview does say that it's a familiar face to the family but not the viewers so it's got be to mother or maybe grandmother to try to fill the void left by Sylvia.

This could be interesting...

The Mother - she only walked out I seem to recall. I imagine she'll swoop in all successful with nice clothes and flash car. Katy will leave with her after realizing she has no life. She will leave Chesney with Joseph no doubt

Owen's psychiatrist?

I want it to be Owen's mother, and for her to be a Mancunian Livia Soprano We can discover why Owen is such a pathetic crybaby and have her reduce him to tears in most episodes.

I'm guessing it's the Mother, has she ever been mentioned before?

Only that she couldn't cope with Izzy's condition so she walked out on them when Katie was a baby, forcing Owen to bring them up on his own.

Is this a copy of the Barton story in Emmerdale?

Its pretty obvious as she isnt dead its going to be the ex Mrs Armstrong. Is Katie going? Read ages ago she was being written out but she seems to still be there. The Windasses and the Platts are the golden family that get all the air time with storyline after storyline.

Obviously not, the Armstrongs have been in the show for four years and it was said from the start that the mother had walked out because she couldn't cope with Izzys condition and a baby aswell. The new Bartons have been in Emmerdale for 6 months.

So Emmerdale are copying Coronation Street, ClareD13. Could Katy's departure be connected with this family member who is going to arrive, will she leave to live with her mother/grandmother?.

I never said anyone was copying anyone Janet, slightly similar soap stories happening at the same time happens all the time, last summer 3 of the four mains soaps had a prescription drug addiction storyline happening.

Yes, you are right, Clare. I am looking forward to the Armstrong newcomer; I wonder who the actress will be?.