Coronation Street

Coronation Street

'Coronation Street' boss Stuart Blackburn is planning to bring back some of the soap's most popular characters.

The ITV soap's executive producer has revealed Weatherfield will be rocked by a blast from the past when a classic character returns next year, but is remaining tight lipped on who the person in question is as they've not yet signed their new contract.

Fans are now speculating who could be set to return, with suggestions including Bruce Jones as Les Battersby, Julie Goodyear as Bet Gilroy, Nick Cochrane as Andy McDonald or Katherine Kelly as Becky McDonald.

Since taking over the top job Stuart has already brought back the likes of Liz McDonald (Beverley Callard), Jim McDonald (Charles Lawson) - who has been selling illegal alcohol to Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) in prison - and Cilla Battersby (Wendi Peters), and he's assured fans he's not finished yet.

Stuart told Digital Spy: "I love Jim's story and Charlie Lawson has played an absolute blinder on that one.

"Even prior to all of that happening, we did start making plans for the return of another popular character, so there is another one on the way.

"I won't say who yet as it's still to be signed, sealed and delivered, but we do have plans."

However, despite orchestrating the return of many beloved characters, he insists it's never done just for the sake of publicity.

He added: "Our policy on returning characters is that we'll only do it when it's important for story.

"Returns can be overdone and we wouldn't do it just to grab a few headlines, but we'll do it when it's right to. The character who is returning will be back on screen early next year."

Tagged in