LEGENDARY actress Stephanie Beacham is set to make a dramatic return to Coronation Street.

The 75 year-old icon will reprise her role as Martha Fraser twelve years after last appearing on the ITV soap.

A source told The Sun: "ITV bosses are thrilled that Stephanie is returning to the show. They have been desperate to get her back for years, so this will be a huge moment when she returns to screens.

"She was a huge fan favourite and the return of Martha is set to cause shockwaves in Weatherfield."

When Martha was last seen on screens, she declared her love for Ken Barlow and asked him to leave town with her.

But he left her heartbroken when he decided to go back to Dierdre instead.

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An insider said: "How Ken will react when Martha returns remains to be seen but it's certainly going to be quite the shock.

"Details for the top-secret storyline are being kept tightly under wraps but it's sure to be explosive."

Stephanie was born in Hertfordshire in 1947 and is known for her television roles in the BBC drama Tenko, and for playing Sable Colby in 80s US soaps The Colbys and Dynasty.

She was nominated for a Golden Globe back in 1989.

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In recent years, Stephanie has undertaken more work back in her home country, starring in Bad Girls and Trollied.

She has also guest starred in Casualty and Death In Paradise.

Stephanie has previously hinted that she would like to return to Corrie one day.

She told The Express, when asked about reviving her character: "Maybe, should an offer should turn up again.’

Stephanie did comment, however, that Martha’s storyline was a ‘contained’ one, meaning she wasn't sure how it could be revisited.

She then added hopefully: "But maybe Martha on the barge could turn up again."

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