Long-running ITV soap Coronation Street is bringing back a legendary character 25 years after he was first seen on our screens. Geoffrey David Nugent - aka Spider - is set to reappear in Weatherfield once again this summer.
The character, played by Martin Hancock, made his debut in the ITV soap more than two decades ago and is now set to reprise his role as Emily Bishop's eco-warrior nephew - a role he took on in 1997, before exiting the show in 2003. As the on/off boyfriend of Toyah Battersby, Spider left Coronation Street when he headed to London to start afresh with Toyah, as reported by Manchester Evening News.
They later separated with Spider moving to Peru, while after a failed marriage Toyah returned to be with her family in 2016. With life having moved on, has Spider held on to the ideals of his youth and has he come back for one final attempt to rekindle his love with Toyah? Or is it something else that brings him back to the street?
Coronation Street, producer Iain Macleod has said of bringing Spider back to the famous street: "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?"
After teasing the news with a promo of Martin walking around the Salford based-set, Corrie fans have been sharing their reaction. "This is a very intriguing promo & I’m chuffed!! What a way to shake things up a bit! Very much hoping this a long-term addition," @sophie_writer1 tweeted.
@RyanGTweetsTV said: "Wow!!!! The return of spider in #Corrie a real blast from the past someone I'm not that familiar with as he left the show 3 years before I was born."
"Wowww!! Wasnt expecting this oooo such exciting news we've all likely always hoped for but never thought was going to happen. Eeekk amazing casting actually bringing Spider back after so long yay thrilled for @RealGeorgiaT too getting reunited with Toyahs first true love ahh always," @miss1katy shared.
His return comes months after Corrie fans called for the much-loved character to return after Toyah star Georgia Taylor shared a 'blast from the past'. The actress sparked fond memories of Weatherfield past when she posted a picture on her Instagram. Her character is currently preparing to marry Imran Habeeb but the couple are facing a custody battle after they discovered the solicitor is the secret father of Abi Franklin's surprise son, Alfie.
But Georgia transported viewers back to 1999 in August when Toyah was dating the Spider. She shared a snap of the iconic young TV couple sharing an embrace as they gazed at the camera. "Thanks to @jondew1 for sharing this belter of a #tbt from 1999! I mean, eyebrows are for losers, right?" she wrote, referring to her skinny eyebrows in the picture that ruled the nineties.
Actor Martin Hancock, who played Emily Bishop’s nephew, went on to star in Steve Coogan’s film 24 Hour Party People and Ridley Scott’s Kingdom Of Heaven. In 2008 he starred alongside Daniel Craig in Defiance and Martin also had a stint on Celebrity MasterChef in 2007.
Georgia previously told Inside Soap it would be 'interesting' to see what Spider had been up to since he left. She told the publication: “I loved working with Martin Hancock, who played Spider. He and Toyah split up off screen and they haven’t seen each other in about 15 years, so it would be interesting to see what Toyah’s first love is up to now.” And Martin previously told the Daily Express there was a chance we might see Spider again.
