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There's nothing soaps love more than a dramatic return from a character from the past. While returns from the dead aren't totally out of the realm of possibility in soapland, we've opted to look at realistic returns - i.e. characters who are still alive, and have current connections on the street.
Rob Donovan
Perhaps controversially, first on the list is brother to Carla Connor and killer of Tina McIntyre, Rob Donovan. While Rob ended up incarcerated for Tina's murder, he has plenty of connections still in tact on the street. It would be interesting to see how he took to recent developments in Carla's life (i.e. her relationship with with, not only a woman, but a copper), and to see what would happen between himself and Tracy after all these years, especially given her marriage with Steve is over, and current boyfriend, Tommy Orpington, is still living over in Spain.
Denise Osbourne
Next up is another character who hasn't been seen in a good few years, despite the birth of her grandson since her last tenure. Denise Osbourne made a brief return to the cobbles in 2017, but has yet to return again since, even though her son, Daniel, has been a resident on the street this whole time, and grandson Bertie was born in 2019.
Despite leaving her house to Daniel, Ken's ex-lover wasn't killed off, and is still alive out there somewhere. It would be good to see even a cameo from her, to see her finally meet her grandson, have another run in with Ken, and of course, weigh in on her son's relationship drama.
Michelle Connor
The Connor family have unfortunately dwindled a lot over the years, and Michelle would be a welcome return. After the acid attack, son Ryan headed over to Ireland to spend time with her, but she's yet to return to Weatherfield to spend time with him, or best friend Carla Connor.
With further health complications promised for Carla in the new year, isn't it high time Michelle returned to support those who need her?
Sophie & Rosie Webster
With Sally and Kevin both still on the street, it's surprising that there's never been a return of either of their daughters, given that neither of them were killed off. While Rosie left for Japan in 2018, Sophie went off travelling in 2019.
Both sisters have spent a good half a decade away from the street now, and it would be nice to see them return sometime soon, maybe even coming back together.
Aggie Bailey
The exit of the Bailey matriarch was a very abrupt one, with no solid answers ever coming out about Lorna Laidlaw's decision to leave. While Aggie left the street on bad terms with husband Ed, ending their marriage due to his gambling addiction returning, it does feel like high time she returned for daughter Dee-Dee.
Given the year she's had, and her current dilemma regarding the pregnancy she's intending to terminate, it would be a really good time for her mum to come back to the street to offer some much needed maternal support.
Kate Connor
Given that her sister is now ‘out and proud’ in a relationship with Lisa Swain, it would be nice to see Kate return to support Carla, and react to not being the only sapphic in the Connor family!
Kate left the street back in 2019, after fiancée Rana Habeeb tragically died on their wedding day. Though she remained on the street for six months after her death, she eventually left to go travelling. Could she return in time to give Carla a kidney?
Jacob Hay
Last on our list is a character who wasn’t on our screens for very long, but played an excellent role while he was.
Jacob had a very natural redemption arc, from drug courier to loyal boyfriend to Amy. He and the Barlow youngster had excellent chemistry, and with dad Damon now in jail, could he return to rekindle the romance?
