SPOILER ALERT: Corrie bosses decide to kill off character to boost ratings

A major 'Coronation Street' character is to be killed off.

The beautiful barmaid Michelle Keegan, who plays Tina McIntyre, will come to a sticky end in May 2014 after show bosses opted for the drastic move because they are eager to boost ratings against rival BBC soap 'EastEnders', which has recently announced a number of big-name signings.

An insider told The Sun newspaper: "They've been weighing up whether to kill Tina off and now believe it's the way to get maximum ratings.

"It will set up a cliffhanger leaving viewers guessing who killed her. But Michelle's fans will be devastated as it means Tina will never be able to return."

A friend of the 26-year-old actress – who is quitting the soap to broaden her acting career – insists she doesn't mind being killed off from the show.

A pal said: "Her exit storyline will be a massive deal and she's happy with whatever the producers come up with."

The brunette stunner - who is engaged to former 'The Only Way is Essex' hunk Mark Wright - had originally wanted to leave at the end of this month, but was convinced to stay by show executives.