Elaine Jones' mysterious appearance on Coronation Street may have struck some fans with serious deja vu.
Actress Paula Wilcox, who stars as Elaine, last appeared in the ITV soap 51 years ago in a completely different role.
Paula, 70, is currently playing abuser Geoff's ex-wife, who hopes to expose him for the cruel man he really is and help his current wife Yasmeen.
Elaine was married to Geoff but managed to escape his clutches after suffering a torrent of abuse at his hands.
But actress Paula first stepped on the cobbles back in 1969 as Ray Langton's troubled sister Janice.
Janice had been on the run from her probation officer after a sentence for robbery and got into a whole heap of trouble while she was staying with her brother in No. 9.
The character made a pass at her brother's friend and landlord Len Fairclough and began a relationship Bob Neale. She later left the cobbles after stealing a car with her lover.
Paula also starred in rival soap Emmerdale from 2007 until 2008 as Douglas Potts' (Duncan Preston) wife and Laurel's mum Hilary. It was revealed seven years later, off-screen, that Hilary had died after suffering heart failure.
In the 51 years between her two roles in Coronation Streer, Paula has starred in a number of hit TV shows including Footballers' Wives, The Queen's Nose, Mount Pleasant and Grantchester.
Paula also appeared in Only Fools and Horses spin-off The Green Grass as Marlene's sister. She also played another character in the same universe in Rock and Chips.
The actress has had small roles in Woody Allen film Scoop (2006) and 1993 movie The Higher Mortals.
*Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm on ITV
