Tracie Bennett is returning to 'Coronation Street'.
Tracie Bennett
The 59-year-old West End and Broadway actress - who first appeared on the cobbles as Sharon Bentley in 1982 and made her last appearance in 1999 - is poised for a comeback after more than two decades, and admitted it is a "dream come true".
She said in a statement: "I am absolutely thrilled to be returning to the cobbles.
"It is a dream come true for me, I had such an amazing time there and I am looking forward to working with Barbara again and getting my teeth into the storylines they have planned for Sharon.
“I was first approached about coming back about 18 months ago, I was keen and excited to see what was in store but my work schedule and then the pandemic has meant that it has taken till now for it all to come together.
"I am so pleased that I can finally tell everyone as it has been hard trying to keep the secret.”
Rita Tanner (Barbara Knox) will get a blast from the past when foster daughter Sharon makes her return next month.
No one is more surprised than Rita, with the pair infamously falling out over Sharon’s attempt to sell the Kabin after it was gifted to her.
ITV teased: "Jenny Connor is also less than impressed with the prodigal foster daughter’s return and Rita’s decision to give Sharon another chance.
"What has brought Sharon back to a place where she has more enemies than friends, and will Rita live to regret letting this cuckoo back into the nest?"
Producer Iain MacLeod is delighted to be bringing such a fantastic actress and beloved character back into the fold.
He added: "It’s extremely exciting to see someone of Tracie’s calibre revisit a role so rich in history and with such a complicated psychology.
"Sharon returns across some badly burned bridges to reconnect with Rita - but very quickly her presence becomes destabilising and extremely dangerous, in ways that I hope the viewers won’t see coming.
"The big question is: What has her life become since she was last on the Street?
"The answer to that question will drive a massive story for us, which runs into the summer and beyond.”
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