"In September 2017, "Radio Times" named King's character Carla Connor as number two in the category "10 soap characters who refuse to die", describing how "if soap characters got a prize for suffering, then Carla would take home the trophy", citing her surviving almost being burned to death twice, being kidnapped and crashing vehicles.On 20 November 2017, her return was teased when Michelle spoke to her on the phone and the next day, Sharon Marshall confirmed on "This Morning" that Carla's return scenes would be broadcast on 22 December 2017.