Coronation Street fans were left stunned by the return of a much-loved character who some claim to have 'forgotten'. Kevin Webster was seen returning to Weatherfield during Wednesday night's episode of the ITV soap (June 28) after being missing from the street for a number of weeks.
Evelyn Plummer walked out of the house and noticed their car had pulled up before declaring: "Oh Kevin's back," to her grandson Tyrone Dobbs before she turned back to her neighbour and said: "Sorry to hear about your father, Kevin."
Kevin, played by Michael Le Vell, left the cobbles earlier this year as he visited his dad, Bill, with his sister Debbie. However, in April, fans were left sharing their own tributes after a death was confirmed. Debbie was seen returning home after she and Kevin rushed to their dad's sid after viewers were told Bill had suffered from a heart attack.
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However, as Debbie returned from their trip, she spoke to sister-in-law Abi about Bill's sad death. "Kev said it was peaceful," Abi said in a bid to comfort Debbie. "I suppose it's how I'd like to go," she replied. "Horizontal and full to the brim with morphine. I'm going to go out and help with the arrangements and stuff. I should've stayed out there."
But her sister-in-law Abi reassured her: "You weren't to know, and at least you got to see him." Then, Debbie was seen attempting to get pictures developed of her father before later being seen sobbing over them in Victoria Gardens.
Bill first appeared on the cobbles in 1984 and was played by actor Peter Armitage. The character married his second wife Elaine shortly after he first moved to Weatherfield and after getting married, the couple moved to Southampton, and later Germany, where their son Carl was born.
Bill returned to the cobbles in 1995 and stayed until leaving for Germany with Maureen, ten days after she married Fred Elliott, as she realised it was Bill she really loved. He returned again in 2006 and, after divorcing Maureen, had a relationship with Audrey Roberts before becoming engaged to Pam Hobsworth, who he also lived with.
By 2013, he had separated from Pam and was back living in Germany where he suffered another heart attack. He then suffered another heart attack in March 2023 and his death was confirmed in Monday's episode. But Peter, who plays Bill on and off for more than 30 years, sadly passed away in 2018.
Kevin's return to the street comes after his on-screen dad's death. Stepping out of the car and getting his bags from the boot, Kevin said back to Evelyn: "Thanks, but these things happen don't they, none of us get out of this alive." Addressing his friend and colleague, Tyrone asked: "Hiya mate, how are you doing?" before Kevin admitted: "Yeah... yeah you know. You managed to keep the garage running?"
To which Abi teased: "Well we did try running it into the ground," before Tyrone quipped: "But we thought we'd be stepping on your toes." Some Tom Jones gags then ensued due to a customer at the garage sharing the same name as the famous Welsh singer, but Corrie fans were busy talking about Kevin's return on social media.
@alamiheart tweeted: "Wasn't expecting to see the amazing Kevin Webster back in Weatherfield! Missed his face." @AndySP01 said: "Thank god Kev's back. The only middle-aged man on #coronationstreet that isn't a serial killer #Corrie." @rozlaws remarked: "Kevin seems to have been away for about six months. #corrie."
@perfwithsurf posted: "#Corrie I'd forgotten about Kevin." @ElaineWharton1 commented: "Kevin was away a while. I’m not complaining, just pointing it out. #Corrie."
Viewers, however, were still left with one main question. @DavidJosephLaw2 said: "So Kevin comes back without Jack and no one mentions him. Where is he then? #corrie." @ElloTeenah asked: "Did Jack not go away with them? Has he been alone this whole time? #Corrie."
But that isn't all they noticed as @DawnLeane shared: "New jacket Kev #corrie." @DawnLeane commented: "Kev be sleeping in his new jacket for the next 10 years #corrie." @corriepodcast joked: "Oh, yes, Kev's new jacket might look all shiny and pure right now, but just wait 25 years and then see what it looks like. That's right, it'll still be perfect. Leather never goes out of style. #corrie."
