A CORONATION Street favourite is set to make a dramatic return – and spark up a shock romance that no one saw coming.
The surprise storyline will see the returning character with an unlikely love interest, leaving fans stunned as sparks fly on the cobbles.
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Soap hunk Jason Callender has teased a steamy new romance twist for his character on the cobbles – James Bailey.
The actor, who took over the role earlier this year, revealed that James is set to lock lips with someone totally unexpected, in a plot twist that’s sure to leave viewers stunned.
James recently left the cobbles with baby Laila after sister Dee-Dee asked him and his partner Danny to raise her newborn in the States.
But it looks like his Weatherfield story is far from over as he is set to make a return.
Jason told Inside Soap: “James is going to have a romantic encounter.
“It’s someone the audience will not see coming. When I found out, I was so excited – I thought, ‘I don’t even know if we can do this!’”
Jason, who previously appeared in Silent Witness, also revealed he’s desperate to share a scene with Corrie royalty Rita Tanner, joking: “I see James and Rita on a cruise ship, sipping mojitos and putting the world to rights!”
Meanwhile, another Coronation Street legend has been spotted back on set – seven years after her exit.
The Sun revealed earlier this year that actress Catherine Tyldesley is making a return as Eva Price to Weatherfield.
A source told The Sun: “There has been lots of excitement on set because Catherine has been seen around the place.
“She’s not back filming just yet, but it won’t be long.
“Cath has been away for a while and worked on countless other projects but she really missed Corrie.
“They’ve tried to get her back a few times but the stars have never alligned.
“But when she was approached with the idea for Eva’s return, it was too good of an opportunity to pass up.
Corrie cash crisis: shock exits for 2025
ITV bosses are locked in a battle to save the cash-strapped soap.
This means that a number of stars have either been axed from or have abandoned the long-running serial drama.
Colson Smith – Craig Tinker
The character of Craig Tinker has been axed by bosses after 14 years. After he was told of the news in Autumn 2024, Colson Smith confirmed that would be written out of the show with scenes to air later this year. Craig’s on-screen mum, Beth Tinker, also left the show in the summer when actress Lisa George was written out from the role.
Sue Cleaver – Eileen Grimshaw
After 25 years playing Eileen Grimshaw, former I’m A Celebrity campmate Sue Cleaver will quit the show. The Sun on Sunday reported in January that she’s already begun to film her exit scenes. However the character will not be killed off in case Sue opts to make a return in the future.
Luca Toolan – Mason Radcliffe
Bosses decided to axe the teenage character after just 16 months after he first joined the show. Recent scenes saw Mason stabbed by his criminal brothers after his pal Dylan brought a knife in an attempt to defend him.
Sue Devaney – Debbie Webster
In November 2024, we revealed that Debbie Webster is set to be killed off after 40 years on the cobbles. The character will die as part of a heartbreaking long-running dementia storyline.
Charlotte Jordan – Daisy Midgeley
The actress became the fifth star to leave Coronation Street in just one month. We revealed that she will bow out of the ITV soap later this year after four years on-screen. Charlotte told sources that she’s hungry to see what other opportunities await.
Shelley King – Yasmeen Metcalfe
The actress has played Yasmeen Metcalfe on the cobbles for the past 11 years and we revealed in January that she finished filming her final scenes. This follows the departure of her on-screen partner Stu Carpenter.
“She’ll start filming again in summer and be back on screen for autumn.
“She’s so excited and can’t wait to get back on the cobbles and it’s definitely not going to be a storyline to miss.”
Catherine was an instant hit when she joined Corrie in 2011, as feisty barmaid Eva.
She was on the ITV soap for seven years until 2018 and during that time was involved in some HUGE storylines.
In her most memorable storyline she fell pregnant with tragic Aidan Connor’s baby and attempted to give her daughter to Toyah Battersby.
Cath’s character also enjoyed several steamy relationships with Adam Barlow, Rob Donovan, Jason Grimshaw and Nick Tilsley.
Eva left Weatherfield after she moved to France with her mum Stella.
So, what will bring her back to the cobbles?
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 or stream from 7am on ITVX.
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