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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Dianne Bourne

Corrie icon bumps into Alan Halsall at airport - now soap fans are calling for a comeback

It's amazing who you bump into on your holidays - even when you're a Coronation Street legend. And there was an unexpected reunion for two huge stars of the soap when their paths crossed at Paphos Airport in Cyprus.

The soap's Alan Halsall who plays Tyrone Dobbs bumped into Corrie legend Kevin Kennedy, who famously played Curly Watts on the show for 20 years shared the photo of their surprise reunion on their holidays. Curly remains one of the soap's best loved characters, and fans regularly call for his return.

Now, the unexpected reunion of the two soap favourites has sparked fresh calls from fans for Curly to make that Coronation Street comeback. A number of stars have returned to the show to a great reception in recent years - including Sally Ann Matthews as Jenny Bradley, Sue Devaney as Debbie Webster and most recently Martin Hancock returning as Spider Nugent.

Read more : Corrie viewers left distracted by Sean Tully's "awful" habit

Kevin shared the image on his Facebook page saying: "Amazing who you meet late at night at Paphos Airport". Both he and Alan gave cheery smiles for the selfie.

Alan, who has been enjoying a sun-soaked holiday with his brother Ste and their families in Cyprus, shared the same image with Kevin on his Instagram Stories. He said: "Bumped into this absolute legend @MrKevKennedy."

He added: "So good to see you mate", sharing what appeared to be an in-joke of: "Thanks for the goodbye".

Kevin's friends and fans were quick to jump on the photo as an excuse to call, once again, for the return of Curly Watts to Corrie. One said: "omg what more of a sign do you need Curly lad! The street needs you innit".

Both Kevin and Alan shared the photo on social media after bumping into each other (Facebook/MrKevKennedy)

Another said "brilliant reunion" while a number of friends said "It's a sign". Martin Duggan said simply: "I wish they would bring back Curly Watts and Martin Platt".

Wythenshawe-born Kevin first started his Weatherfield journey as the unlucky-in-love Norman Arthur "Curly" Watts back in 1983. The character's nickname was a cheeky nod to his straighter-than-straight hairdo and he was famously a fan of astronomy and became the assistant manager of Bettabuys supermarket.

During his 20 years on the soap he was involved in a number of dramatic storylines, and will always be remembered for his star-crossed romance with Rovers Return barmaid Raquel, who was famously played by Sarah Lancashire. He last reprised the role of Curly back in 2010 for the spin-off DVD special A Knights Tale reuniting with Ken Morley as Reg Holdsworth.

Kevin played Curly Watts (pictured far right) with Spider Nugent (Martin Hancock) on the left who has recently returned to Corrie (Granada)

Since leaving Corrie, Kevin has gone on to a hugely acclaimed career in musical theatre, most notably for his role in We Will Rock You the musical on the West End and at theatres across the UK as Pop. He is currently on tour with the hit musical Rock of Ages heading across the UK.

Meanwhile Alan remains one of Corrie's best-loved modern-day icons, having starred as Tyrone Dobbs on the soap for the past 24 years.

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