Beverley Callard has revealed that she will return to Coronation Street as Liz McDonald.
The TV star, 63, made a quiet exit from the ITV soap earlier this year as Liz went off to Spain off camera, leaving fans wondering why she hadn't had a bigger exit storyline after 30 years on the cobbles.
She then revealed she had suffered a life-changing hip injury after botched surgery in March, which made her fear that she'd never walk again.
Corrie bosses had said Liz wouldn't be returning but Beverley has now confirmed she will be back with a more "dramatic" exit storyline.
Beverley also revealed that she's now starting to use crutches and going to physiotherapy every day as she starts to recover.
She said: "I will go back maybe the beginning of next year.
"So they will see a bit more of Liz and it's going to be very dramatic I believe!"
Beverley revealed that bosses even offered her a wheelchair so she'd be able to come back but she didn't think that would suit the character.
She continued: "I wasn't going to talk about the operation at all, but I know there was a bit of an uproar, because after 35 years they're just sending her off to Spain and we're not going to see her.
"So it wasn't Coronation Street's fault, it was no one's fault, it was just one of those things.
"What I'm hoping for the exit is Liz and Jim get back together and just go off into the sunset, but I have a feeling that might not happen…"
Beverley injured her hip while doing a theatre show and needed surgery, which was unsuccessful and left her with little soft tissue in the joint and her bones rubbing together.
She underwent a second surgery in July, but is still struggling to walk again.
But she has vowed to fight and hopes she'll be back on her feet again soon.
She said: "It's been a pretty difficult time. I'm trying to walk now.
"I'm on crutches as opposed to being hoisted around and pushed around, but I'm getting there slowly but surely."
She added: "It's been one of the worst times I've gone through.
"But I have to tell you, I'm battling, I'm fighting. I've got physio every day, hydrotherapy twice a week – I'm trying my best."
