Published Wednesday, 29 August 2012
Sue Johnston will be back in Weatherfield. (© Getty)
Her character Gloria Price arrives back on the soap next Wednesday from Spain for a reunion with daughter Stella and granddaughter Eva.
And she's not long back before dealing Stella's boyfriend Karl Munro, who is having an affair with Sunita Alahan, a piece of her mind - and the back of her hand.
Show supremo Phil Collinson is "delighted" to welcome Johnston to the cast.
He said: "She is a national treasure and a stunning actress. She has been at the heart of the very best comedy and drama the UK has produced over last 30 years and will step into the heart of Coronation Street as her character, Gloria, takes up running The Rovers with daughter Stella."
Sue played the minor role of Weatherfield bookmaker's wife Mrs Chadwick when she was in the show 30 years ago.
It was a very different part to her Brookside and The Royle Family characters.
She said: "She's very straight-talking and just doesn't care what she says and to whom she says it. She's the sort of person who takes pride in shooting from the hip. It never wins her any friends but she's clearly not bothered about that.
"She wastes no time in ruffling feathers when she arrives in Weatherfield, which she thinks is a dump. As well as being blunt to the point of rudeness, she's also a terrible flirt which is terrific fun and a great combination to play."
Johnston said coming back to the street was easier the second time around, but admitted she was still "nervous".
She said: "I've just filmed some scenes with Barbara Knox, because Rita is one of the first people Gloria goes into combat with, and she was wonderful.
"Because the characters are so familiar and I've always watched the show as a fan, I have to make sure I call people by their real names. So far my only mistake has been calling Craig Charles 'Lloyd' and he laughed when I apologised."