Peter Barlow is back on the cobbles! Here are the returning Corrie star’s most controversial moments

KEN Barlow’s wayward son is making a sensational return to Coronation Street - and judging by his history, it's likely to cause fireworks.

Despite being sober for two years, he's reportedly lost his job and is carrying a secret that threatens to tear his family apart.

Actor Chris Gascoyne has promised his character will be "as shady as ever" when he shows his face on the cobbles tonight.

So, to get us in the mood for the Badboy Barlow's comeback, we've rounded up some of his most controversial storylines from over the years.

Bigamist

While he was dating barmaid Shelley Unwin (Sally Lindsay) Peter had a brief affair with a florist, Lucy Richards (Katy Carmichael).

But when he discovered Lucy was pregnant with his baby, in an attempt to be a part of the child’s life he married her – despite being engaged to Shelley.

After finding out Peter was still seeing Shelley, Lucy threw him out – and Peter then married Shelley, committing bigamy in the process.

Naturally both women eventually discover his torrid secret and he left Weatherfield to return to Portsmouth in 2003.

Alcoholic

When Peter returned to the cobbles in 2007, he used son Simon’s inheritance from his dead mum to buy the local bookmakers, which he renamed Barlow’s Bookies.

He started seeing Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) and the couple decided to buy a bar together – but on the opening night, Peter got blind drunk and was forced to go to rehab.

Brush with death

On the night of his stag do ahead of his wedding to Leanne, Peter celebrated in his and Leanne’s former bar, The Joinery.

But during the evening a huge explosion caused by a problem with the gas supply caused a tram to derail and smash into the street.

It crushed the bar, with Peter trapped inside.

He was rushed to hospital with horrendous injuries and married Leanne in his hospital bed before he went into cardiac arrest.

But against all the odds, Peter pulled through.

Affair #2

Having grown close to her over their shared battle with alcoholism, Peter was there for Carla Connor (Alison King) after her mum died and she was raped by Frank Foster.

Knowing Carla had feelings for him, Leanne became plagued with insecurities, prompting several rows between her and Peter.

Driven to the drink, Peter confessed his true feelings to Carla and they slept together and started up an affair.

When heartbroken Leanne found out about them she offered to forgive Peter and work on their relationship, but he chose Carla and Leanne left, leaving Simon devastated.

She later returned and fought Peter for custody, which she won.

Affair #3

Having gotten engaged to Carla, Peter failed to keep it in his trousers once again and ended up in bed with their babysitter, Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan).

Carla then found out she was pregnant and confessed to Peter on the same day Tina told him she suspected she too was carrying his baby.

When Tina’s was found to be a false alarm, Peter decided to stick by Carla – which infuriated Tina who threatened to tell all about their affair.

Terrified Tina would get in there first, Peter confessed all to Carla in the Rovers back room.

A ‘murderer’

On the night he told Carla about his betrayal, Tina was murdered by Carla’s brother Rob Donovan (Marc Baylis).

Peter became the prime suspect and the Street turned on Peter, believing him to be responsible.

When a bracelet belonging to Steph Britton (Tisha Merry) that Rob had stolen from Tina’s flat to make the attack look like a burglary gone wrong was found in the Barlow’s garden shed, Peter was arrested when his fingerprints were found on it.

He was charged with murder and remanded in custody – where he almost drank himself to death after discovering fellow inmate Jim McDonald’s (Charles Lawson) secret booze stash.

Thinking he is going to die, Peter told Carla he believed she killed Tina and offered to keep her secret and take the blame for her, making her realise he was innocent.

Despite this, Peter was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of fifteen years.

Carla later discovered Rob was responsible and turned him in – resulting in Peter’s release.

Realising it was over with Carla, he left the Street for Portsmouth.

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on ITV.