Ken Barlow is set to find himself reunited with another former flame as Coronation Street announced the return of Stephanie Beacham. The actress will reprise her role of Martha Frazer in the ITV soap next month, it was revealed on Thursday (October 10).
Martha's return to Weatherfield comes 13 years after a brief fling with Ken almost resulted in him leaving his wife Deirdre. And having recently rekindled his relationship with another of his ex-lovers, Wendy Popadopulous, Ken is stunned when Martha arrives to help out with the Weatherfield Players Am Dram production.
Despite his burgeoning feelings for Wendy, it’s not long before his head is turned once more by the exotic charms of actress Martha, and yet again, the octogenarian lothario finds himself in a classic soap love triangle.
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Acclaimed actress Stephanie said of her return to the famous cobbles: “I am delighted that Martha has returned to Weatherfield. It is an absolute joy to be working with Bill again.”
Meanwhile, Corrie legend William Roache added: "I was delighted when Wendy came back into Ken’s life. I love that the writers are drawing on the rich history of Ken’s life to come up with these stories. When I found out that Martha was also going to make a return I was thrilled, but I fear heartache may be round the corner once more for Ken now he has found himself in another love triangle."
Corrie viewers were first introduced to Martha back at the start of 2009 when Ken was out walking his dog Eccles near Weatherfield Canal. When the dog chased after some ducks and fell into the freezing water, Ken had to try and get her out. But it was Martha who extended a fishing net from her boat and managed to save the Barlow's pet dog. Martha then offered Ken and Eccles a place to warm up, and Ken gratefully agreed.
The pair later shared a kiss and it took some time before Ken confessed to being married. Martha was devastated and told him to leave but he kept pestering her to admit that she had feelings for him as he told her that he was in love with her. Their relationship was soon discovered by Audrey Roberts, after her ex-partner Ted Page, who had known about the affair, was forced to admit confess.
In May of the same year, Ken visited Martha again where she told him that she loved him too and they slept together. As Ken was leaving, she told him that she would soon be moving as she was working on a new play, and asked him to go with her. And she was later delighted when Ken arrived with a suitcase, saying that he was ready to join her.
But just as she sailed away, she looked back and saw Ken standing on the bridge as he had changed his mind at the last minute and went back to his life with Deirdre.
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