In the world of soap operas, characters coming back from the dead is a classic and dramatic plot twist that always captivates viewers.
In Coronation Street, this trope has been used to surprise and intrigue fans, leaving them with mixed reactions and unforgettable moments.
From Sunita’s spiritual presence at dinner following her dramatic death, to Yasmeen’s troubling nightmare about evil ex, Geoff, these "back from the dead" scenarios continue to be popular storytelling devices on the ITV soap.
READ MORE: Emmerdale fans go wild as beloved character 'returns' in devastating storyline
As the show continues to surprise and entertain with their unpredictable twists and turns, fans eagerly anticipate what other intriguing character reunions and supernatural twists await.
Let’s take a look back of some of the former soap stars who have made spooky returns…
Sunita Alahan
In July, there was a surprising "return from the dead" when Sunita Alahan's spirit made a return.
Sunita was Dev Alahan's late wife, who died in 2013 due to injuries from the Rovers Return fire, caused by her illicit ex-lover Karl Munro.
During Sunita's memorial dinner, Bernie Winter and Paul Foreman join the Alahan family.
During the dinner, Dev asked his daughter Asha if she got her bracelet back, and her twin brother Aadi confirmed she did.
Asha noticed a strange bubble of light hovering over her in a photo they took, and Bernie suggested it could be a human spirit.
However, Dev dismissed the idea of any superstitions.
Later, Aadi noticed that a picture of him and Asha had moved, now facing the picture of their late mother, Sunita.
Bernie attributed this to the presence of Sunita's spirit, but Dev refused to consider the possibility.
Geoff Metcalfe
In 2022, Coronation Street featured a surprise cameo when a character returned from the dead.
Yasmeen Nazir, portrayed by Shelley King, had been going through a crisis after learning that her new partner, Stu Carpenter (Bill Fellows), was convicted of murdering a young girl years ago.
Stu maintained his innocence, claiming he was coerced into a false confession, and his new family tried to support him.
Yasmeen struggled with how to support Stu, but as her loved ones, Alya and Zeedan, tried to clear his name, she started to come around.
In a dream, Stu transformed into her evil ex, Geoff Metcalfe (Ian Bartholomew), who taunted her about Stu's alleged crimes.
This nightmare influenced Yasmeen's decision to allow Stu to live with them, despite objections from other residents who believed he was guilty.
Geoff Metcalfe exited Coronation Street in December 2020 when his character died after falling off a building.
Leo and Teddy
In a shocking turn of events, two Coronation Street characters, Leo and Teddy Thompkins, who were previously killed by Stephen Reid (played by Todd Boyce), made a surprising return from the dead.
Stephen had been drugging Carla Barlow (played by Alison King) with LSD to make it seem like her psychosis had returned.
Before that, he had taken the lives of both Leo and Teddy after they discovered his past wrongdoings.
However, his crimes caught up with him when he accidentally consumed LSD meant for Carla.
During a crucial moment when he was about to deliver an important speech to secure business and an American client, the LSD took effect.
In a state of hallucination, Stephen saw the face of murdered Leo in the audience, leaving him horrified.
He rushed offstage and locked himself in a hotel room where he experienced vivid hallucinations.
Both Leo and Teddy appeared in the room, confronting him about his deceit, before the hallucinations eventually ended, leaving Stephen shaken.
Vera Duckworth
In 2010, Coronation Street bid farewell to the beloved Duckworths by having Vera Duckworth's ghost accompany her husband Jack to the afterlife, with the emotional scene set to Matt Monro's Softly As I Leave You.
William Tarmey's departure was made a tearjerking classic as Corrie's audacious idea to reunite him with Elizabeth Dawn's character, Vera, one last time proved to be a huge hit with fans.
Vera's own death in 2008 had been criticised for being too low-key, so the show's bosses went all out to make Jack's exit extra special by honouring the iconic couple's enduring bond.
Pat Phelan
Corrie serial killer Phelan made a shocking return from the dead after it seemed he'd died after falling off a cliff during a showdown with Eileen Grimshaw.
However he had been in hiding, plotting his revenge, and he eventually returned to Weatherfield.
Upon his return, though, he was killed off for real after he was stabbed during a hostage plot that went very wrong for him.
Rick Neelan
Last year, Coronation Street fans had mixed reactions when Rick Neelan returned from the dead, but not in the literal sense.
Actor Greg Wood reprised his role as a figment of Kelly's troubled mind.
Kelly had recently discovered that Gary Windass was responsible for her father's death, and she started to fantasise about killing Gary, with her father's ghost encouraging her actions.
In one scene, Rick's ghost appeared and quoted Shakespeare, which some fans found unrealistic.
Some viewers were delighted to see Rick again, while others were not impressed with the spooky presence of his ghost and the dream sequences.
“As if Rick albeit back as a ghost would know Shakespeare,” mused one Twitter user.
“Oh no you’ve gone all surreal and weird again, Corrie, can’t be doing with these Rick ghost scenes and dream sequences.
Get back to what you’re good at,” wrote one disgruntled fan. Another said: “Rick’s ghost?? Oh get lost!” Some fans expressed their desire for the show to focus on its traditional storytelling instead of surreal elements.
Rana Habeeb
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In a surprising twist, Rana Habeeb (played by Bhavna Limbachia) returned to Coronation Street despite her character being killed off.
The unexpected appearance was part of a special episode focusing on Carla Connor (Alison King), who experienced a mental breakdown and began hallucinating conversations with Rana.
The tragic nurse, who died in the factory roof collapse disaster, appeared in Carla's mind as she blamed herself for the incident.
Viewers discovered that Gary Windass deliberately caused the collapse.
Carla's extreme guilt led to a psychotic episode, filled with paranoia and delusions, making her believe Rana, her late brother Aidan Connor, and deceased best friend Hayley Cropper were all still alive.
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