A much loved Coronation Street character is returning to the cobbles this year, amid a slew of stars exiting the ITV soap.
Actress Katy Cavanagh will reprise her role as Julie Carp, the half-sister of Eileen Grimshaw, as part of the soap icon's exit storyline.
Earlier this week, Sue Cleaver announced she was leaving Corrie after 25 years, much to the surprise of fans. Now, bosses have teased some details surrounding how she will leave Weatherfield as Julie is back in the cobbles, in scenes to air in February.
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Katy first joined the cast of Corrie as Julie in 2008, and remained a prominent character until she left in 2015.
Julie arrived in Weatherfield after a holiday romance with Kirk Sutherland, before setting her sights on Jason Grimshaw - but that all changed when she discovered that Eileen was her half-sister.
There was sibling rivalry then when Julie had a fling with Eileen's boyfriend Jesse Chadwick.
In 2015, Julie decided to leave for a fresh start with boyfriend Brian Packham. However, he returned to the street when they later split up.
Speaking about her return to Corrie, Katy said: "It is exciting to dust off Julie's quirky wardrobe again and an absolute joy to step back onto the cobbles. Julie is so much fun, I've missed her."
Producer Kate Brooks added: "We're delighted to have the inimitable Julie Carp back on the Cobbles.
"As the ever lovable Julie breezes back into the lives of the Grinshaws, not everything is quite as it seems, and Julie's secret sets off a chain of events that has huge ramifications for Eileen.
"Katy has slipped back into Julie's shoes with such ease that it's like she's never been away, and we can't wait for the audience to watch Julie's story unfold; a story full of love, laughter and tears."
Julie's return comes amid a series of departures from the long-running ITV soap, on top of Sue Cleaver's exit.
Earlier this week, Colson Smith revealed he will be hanging up his boots as copper Craig Tinker later this year after 14 years. Charlotte Jordan will also be waving goodbye to barmaid Daisy after four years.
Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, bowed out after 50 years on Christmas Day.
Meanwhile, actor Luca Toolan's final scenes as Mason Radcliffe aired on Monday night as the young character was killed off in a knife crime storyline.
Sue Devaney, who plays the role of fan favourite Debbie Webster, is also confirmed to be leaving Corrie as the much loved character will be diagnosed with and eventually die from dementia.
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