Coronation Street fans have shared their anxiety after Spider Nugent's return was announced.
ITV confirmed Martin Hancock will resume the role he played as Emily Bishop's eco-warrior nephew between 1997 and 2003 next month, appearing on our screens in July. As the on/off boyfriend of Toyah Battersby, Spider left Coronation Street in 2003, when he headed to London to start afresh with Toyah.
They later separated with Spider moving to Peru, while after a failed marriage Toyah returned to be with her family in 2016. However, fans are worried Spider's return may bring sad news about his auntie Emily.
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Emily last appeared on-screen in 2019 in a video call to Ken Barlow. She was last on the Cobbles in 2015.
Reacting to the news, one fan, Norma tweeted: "Spider could be the bearer of bad news about Emily."
Lynda said: "Spider was brilliant, great news! Just hope he's not saying Emily has died in Africa."
Patrick added: "Spider was great! Definitely see a storyline with him and Toyah coming, now that Charlie De Melo is leaving the show...I just hope he’s not bringing bad news about Auntie Emily."
Another said: "Please don’t say they have killed Emily off! They said they would leave the door open for her."
John tweeted: "While delighted to see the character return, I'm hoping this does *not* mean that he's returning to inform residents of Emily's passing."
And Thomas tweeted: "Spiders coming back either he will be back with Toyah or are they killing off Emily?"
On returning to the show Martin said: “Having the opportunity to walk back onto the cobbles is fabulous, I’m so excited to be seeing a lot of old friends and picking up what Spider has been up to. I’ve always wanted to come back at some point and it just felt like this is the right time. I’m eternally grateful to Iain for the opportunity”
Of his decision to bring Spider back to Coronation Street, producer Iain Macleod said: “Martin is a fabulous actor and Spider is a character with real heritage and affection from fans.
"His return heralds an enthralling new story for Toyah, who will be embroiled in a mess of guilt and secrecy when Spider arrives. Will he be her saviour or the thing that ruins her life forever?”
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