Jude Appleton (Paddy Wallace)
Coronation Street paves the way for the arrival of new characters next week as Mary Taylor receives some unexpected news.
Back at the start of April, word leaked out that Mary's son Jude Appleton would be returning to the cobbles on a more permanent basis in the not-too-distant future – bringing his family with him this time.
Although we haven't heard much else about Jude's return since then, the upcoming cast shake-up is referenced on screen next week when he makes contact with Mary.
Jude lets Mary know that he's decided to move to Weatherfield, giving them a chance to finally get to know each other after a lifetime apart.
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Mary Taylor prepares to leave the Street with Jude Appleton in Coronation Street
© ITV
When news of Jude's return first hit the headlines last month, Corrie insiders revealed that producers are expanding the cast in preparation for the show increasing to six episodes per week from the autumn.
Pat Phelan's long-lost daughter Nicola is also arriving to fill out the cast further – turning up on the cobbles with the villain's grandson.
Mary first spoke about Jude late last year in an emotional heart-to-heart with Norris Cole, telling her friend that she was raped by a man whose children she used to babysit when she was a teenager.
https://youtu.be/f_aqHBjMuGk
When Mary got pregnant, her mother failed to support her and she later gave up her baby immediately after the birth.
Jude arrived on the cobbles at Christmas after Norris helped Mary to track him down, but she later turned down an opportunity to go and live in South Africa with him and his pregnant wife – not wanting to leave her friends.
Digital Spy