CORONATION Street fans were left thrilled during tonight’s episodes as Norris Cole finally returned to Weatherfield.
But his arrival left a bitter taste in Rita’s mouth – after her former colleague rushed off to see his girlfriend.
Rita is set to be left for dead in a heartbreaking Christmas storyline about lonely OAPs.
Tonight, viewers sawNorris join Rita for a cup of tea, but he was barely there for five minutes before he headed to the Rovers to meet Freda.
Rita said she wanted to go too, but Norris brushed her off.
She told him before he left: “I never thought I’d say this, but it would be lovely to see more of you.”
Fans at home were relieved to see Norris back on the soap – but admitted seeing Rita upset was heartbreaking.
One said: “Nice to see Norris back on #CoronationStreet”.
Another said: “I feel so sorry for Rita. Everyone is pushing her away. Shes gonna b all alone at xmas”
A third declared: “Hello Rita, Goodbye Rita”
Norris hasnt been on screen since 2017 after actor Malcolm Hebden suffered a heart attackand was forced to take a significant amount of time off work.
itd be grand to see more of you
right…thats nice… bye
norris dealing with compliments is very me#corrie
— liv
(@cxrlaconnor) December 9, 2019
Ive missed Norris looking for the gossip
#corrie @itvcorrie
— Shaun Eley (@Eley01) December 9, 2019
But it was revealed back in November that Malcolm would be reprising his role as the Streets resident busy body this year.
A source told the Sunday Mirror: It has been a long battle back to fitness but he looks better than I could have imagined.
“He looks really well, it is going to be great to have him back. The show has missed him. Weve missed him.”
Malcolm, 78, previously spoke out about the attack, which almost killed him.
He said: Fortunately I didnt realise how bad it was. I was dying.
“The cardiac team simply saved my life.
I was informed by my doctor I had had at least one heart attack. The heart attack tore a hole in my heart, they operated and took a chance.
