It’s a blast from the past for our Rita next month when her errant Foster daughter Sharon Bentley returns to Weatherfield after 22 years.
Sharon Bentley was last seen on the cobbles in 1999, and no one is more surprised to see her than Rita, especially as the pair fell out over Sharon’s attempt to sell the Kabin after it was gifted to her.
Jenny Connor is also less than impressed with the prodigal foster daughter’s return and Rita’s decision to give Sharon another chance.
What has brought Sharon back to a place where she has more enemies than friends, and will Rita live to regret letting this cuckoo back into the nest?
On her return to Coronation Street 22 years after leaving, and 39 years since she first arrived as troubled teenager Sharon, Tracie said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be returning to the cobbles. It is a dream come true for me, I had such an amazing time there and I am looking forward to working with Barbara again and getting my teeth into the storylines they have planned for Sharon.
Producer Iain MacLeod said: “It’s extremely exciting to see someone of Tracie’s calibre revisit a role so rich in history and with such a complicated psychology. Sharon returns across some badly burned bridges to reconnect with Rita – but very quickly her presence becomes destabilising and extremely dangerous, in ways that I hope the viewers won’t see coming. The big question is: what has her life become since she was last on the Street? The answer to that question will drive a massive story for us, which runs into the summer and beyond.”
Since leaving Coronation Street Tracie has become one of theatre’s foremost leading ladies, winning two Olivier Awards for roles in West End productions and was nominated for a Tony Award for her portrayal of Judy Garland in End of the Rainbow on Broadway. Other musical theatre roles include Les Miserable and Hairspray. She recently played Carlotta in the National theatre production of Follies and starred in the revival of Mame at Hope Mill Theatre where she is patron. Television work includes acclaimed ITV dramas Scott and Bailey and The Bay.
Coronation Street continues tonight at 7:30 on ITV.
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