Hayley Cropper will be making something of a 'return' to Coronation Street - eight years since the popular character departed the ITV soap for good. Hayley, the wife of Roy Cropper, died in heartbreaking scenes in 2014, but her memory is about to be revived.
Viewers will remember that Hayley customarily wore a red hooded anorak, and the garment is making a comeback as part of a new storyline. In scenes to be shown next week, Bernie will be seen persuading Roy's niece Nina to let her clean her uncle's flat for his birthday, as a way of earning extra money.
Bernie finds a box of old clothes while in the flat, and suggests that they be donated to charity. However, Nina doesn't spot Hayley's red anorak in the box.
Roy is unaware of what has happened until Evelyn Plummer presents him with a model train for his birthday, the Manchester Evening News reports. Roy recognises it as his own - and realises that the train must have come from the charity shop.
Evelyn heads to the charity shop, marches in and "rips the anorak from Joy's back", says the M.E.N. "As Evelyn heads out, Joy’s left bewildered. But how will Roy react when Evelyn returns with the anorak?"
Hayley was played by Julie Hesmondhalgh from 1998 to 2014. The role broke new ground, as Hayley was the first transgender character in a British soap; she married Roy in 2010 after the law changed, allowing such weddings to be officially recognised.
Julie announced her departure from the show in 2013. Hayley, who had been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, took her own life in Roy's arms the following year.
