Iconic Coronation Street villain makes shock return after 21 years – here’s how soap pulled it off

CORONATION Street has pulled off a huge coup by bringing back iconic serial killer Richard Hillman in today’s Christmas Eve episode.

The businessman – who is played by actor Brian Capron in the ITV soap – died in 2003 when his plan to murder Gail, Sarah, David and Bethany by drowning failed.

Eerie scenes at the end of today’s episode see Brian reprise his iconic role as he returns to the cobbles 21 years after seemingly dying in a canal.

As Gail wakes from a nap on her sofa she finds a man searching through her sideboard and initially thinks it’s husband-to-be Jessie.

However, that isn’t the case and the truth is much more horrifying.

“Try again,” the man says, adding: “I see you’ve changed the carpet in here.”

A terrified Gail says: “Who are you? What do you want?”

Richard then makes himself known as reveals himself saying: “Hello Gail.”

The return was months in the making and planned shortly after Helen Worth told bosses she would be leaving the show after 50 years.

The Sun can exclusively reveal the extreme lengths bosses went to to keep the return a secret.

A source said: “It was a major need-to-know operation. 

“Brian was smuggled on and off set in the back of a car under blankets to keep him away from prying eyes. 

“And his and Helen’s scenes were filmed on a closed set with a tiny number of staff to shoot it.

“It’s a real callback to what’s undoubtedly Gail’s biggest storyline from her time on the show and a celebration of it.”

Brian is set to appear in the Christmas Day episode of Coronation Street too, as Helen bids farewell to the show.

Speaking about her exit, Helen said: “This year felt like the perfect time to leave the show after celebrating 50 years in the most wonderful job on the most wonderful street in the world. 

“I have been truly blessed to have been given the most incredible scripts week in week out, and to have worked with fantastic actors, directors and a brilliant crew. 

“The past 50 years have flown by and I don’t think the fact that I am leaving has quite sunk in yet.”