Coronation Street veteran Emily Bishop (Emily Derbyshire) will make her highly-anticipated return to Weatherfield next week.
The Corrie favourite will send a video message to Ken Barlow on his 80th birthday in scenes due to air on October 9.
This will be the first time Eileen Derbyshire has appeared in the ITV soap since January 2016 when she took took a break from filming.
Rita’s bestie Emily is not the only familiar face turning up to to mark the milestone.
Norris is Ken’s second birthday surprise when he turns up to the celebration at the Rovers unannounced.
Ken is touched when he sees old pal Emily’s video message.
This is the second time a former Weatherfield resident has made a return via video call.
Fiona Middleton (Angela Griffin) made her comeback earlier this year when daughter Emma Brooker (Alexandra Mardell) called her on laptop video call having learnt that her mum’s former flame Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) was her legitimate dad.
Corrie producer Iain Macleod confirmed Emily’s return during an interview with RadioTimes.com and revealed that the door was always open for Eileen to return to the cobbles.
Eileen first played the role of Emily back in 1961.
Her lodger Norris Cole (Malcolm Hebden) returned to Weatherfield in May revealing that he had heard Emily’s niece Fear Burgess were engaged.
Norris also dropped the bombshell that Emily’s former home No3 had been sold to new family on the block, The Baileys.
Next week also marks the first birthday of Ken’s grandson Bertie.
The news that Sinead Osborne’s cancer has accelerated and only has weeks to live brings a hinge of sadness to the event.
Fans of the soap will have to wait and see if Emily will make a permanent return to Weatherfield.
Corrie returns to ITV at 7.30pm tonight.
