ITV Coronation Street star 'returns from the dead' for milestone achievement

Corrie: Bernie and Summer fear for Paul's life in teaser clip

Peter Ash made a surprise return to Coronation Street to resurrect his late character Paul Foreman in a moving scene with his onscreen father Billy Mayhew (played by Daniel Brocklebank).

The former builder had died 18 months after he had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

Fans will recall the emotional moment he made his comeback during Billy’s hallucination after being killed off in September.

During the ITV episode, his family had said their final goodbyes but the emotional vicar took off to take refuge behind the factory, where he listened to voice messages from Paul until his phone ran out of battery.

Still drunk, Billy began to drift off before hearing Paul’s voice in the distance and when he opened his eyes, Paul was stood in front of him, calling his name.

Coronation Street: Paul was killed off in September (Image: ITV)

After the episode aired, the actor took to Instagram to share a sweet behind-the-scenes photo with his co-stars Jane Hazlegrove and Daniel.

He penned: “It was so lovely to be back on the cobbles of Coronation Street one FINAL time!”

To celebrate his milestone Ash added: “That brings my total episodes of Corrie to a neat 600! It's been the time of my life!”

Among the adorning fans in the comments was his on-screen mum Jane who penned: “Ah sweet sweet Apollo!

“And Peter’s pretty bloody gorgeous too!!! Ain’t the same without you darling! Love Mama!, the actress added.”

An emotional @glasgowgrrrl shared: “A truly beautiful episode, cried all the way through, Paul will be missed.”

As @jordsdanx remarked: “What a way to end the storyline. you’ve all been phenomenal.”

While @donnydondons68 echoed: “It was a great way to end the storyline and what a surprise!”