Coronation Street favourite Leanne Battersby is set to get a special surprise this Christmas when her half-sister Toyah makes an unexpected return to Weatherfield.
On Tuesday morning, ITV announced actress Georgia Taylor will reprise her role as the vivacious Toyah Battersby later this year, which comes more than a decade after her departure from the popular soap.
Speaking about her return, Georgia said: "I am thrilled to be re-joining my old friends on the cobbles and hugely excited to be given the opportunity to explore the character of Toyah 13 years on.
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An old Coronation Street resident is set to make a surprise return to Weatherfield this Christmas
"Coronation Street has always had a place in my heart and I'm delighted to be working again with my good friend Jane Danson and bringing the Battersby sisters back together.
"The script writers and producers have come up with some fantastic, clever, and detailed story-lines that have inspired me and I feel excited to get started!"
The 36-year-old star was last seen on the cobbles 13 years ago in February 2003 after her character found out her college lecturer boyfriend had got her friend Maria pregnant.
Georgia Taylor will reprise her role as the vivacious Toyah Battersby later this year
With filming taking place next month, viewers will have to wait until December to see exactly why Toyah has come back to Weatherfield.
Teasing a glimpse of what to expect, producer Kate Oates said: “I am delighted that Georgia Taylor has agreed to return to the role of Toyah. She is a talented actress who has had great success since leaving the show in 2003.
“Family relationships are the lifeblood of soap operas and I am excited to explore the drama that Toyah will bring with her to the cobbles. She has led an interesting life away from Weatherfield and she has secrets she has kept even from Leanne.
The 36-year-old star was last seen on the cobbles 13 years ago in February 2003
“Her arrival this Christmas looks set to put the cat amongst the Coronation Street pigeons.”
Meanwhile, co-star Jane Danson - who plays Leanne - took to her Twitter page to share her excitement over her reunion with her on-screen sister.
She tweeted: "Shes coming home she coming home... My beautiful sis is back and i cant wait" [sic]