Freda Burgess returned to Coronation Street tonight - and she was carrying a dark secret.
Emily’s deaf niece, who last appeared in January 2010, revealed Norris Cole was not coming back to the cobbles and starting a new life.
However, she then seemingly indicated Norris was DEAD by putting an urn full of ashes next to his photo.
Worried Mary Taylor and Tracy Barlow got a fright when they saw the door of Number 3 wide open.
They hesitatingly crept inside and charged into the kitchen with an umbrella to attack the supposed intruder.
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Stunned Tracy recognised Freda, played by Ali Briggs, who claimed she had been sent to Weatherfield by Norris.
Freda confessed that Norris was happy to divorce Mary and was planning to sell the house.
She revealed that Norris was away at a silent retreat, but suspicious Tracy wasn’t convinced that the street's biggest gossip was staying quiet.
Furious Mary told Freda to tell Norris to “stop being a coward” and was angry that he had chosen not to call her.
Once Mary and Tracy he left, scheming Freda places an urn on the side table next to a framed photo of Norris.
"I miss you every day," said Freda, which left viewers convinced that Norris might have died.
Corrie fans took to Twitter to question whether Norris was still alive.
One viewer asked: "Wait... IS NORRIS DEAD??? I don’t think I’m ready for this."
Another added: "Is Norris dead? Heard he was coming back but wasn't expecting it to be in an urn"
A third said: "Has Norris croaked it?!"
*Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on ITV at 7.30pm and 8.30pm
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