ITV Coronation Street fans 'traumatised' as iconic character returns from dead

Christmas can never be plain sailing in Weatherfield, with the cobbles set for more drama in Coronation Street's Christmas Eve episode.

As fans of the ITV soap have been gearing up to say goodbye to Gail Platt as actress Helen Worth departs from the show, it appears there are more twists and turns yet to be expected.

On the eve of her wedding to Jesse Chadwick, Gail finds herself in a nightmare as she's visited by a ghost of Christmas past. That ghost being Richard Hillman.

The legendary villain made his way back to the cobbles in chilling scenes with his ex-wife Gail.

Richard died back in 2003 when he attempted to drown Gail, Sarah, David and Bethany in a murderous plot. 21 years after he left the show, actor Brian Capron is spotted by Gail in her living room as she awoke from a nap.

Dripping wet and covered in canal waste, Richard commented: "I see you’ve changed the carpet in here", before standing in front of Gail and greeting her with a chilling "Hello Gail".

Gail's dream sequence continued throughout the episode, as Hillman tries to persuade her not to go ahead with her marriage to Jesse due to take place that day.

Viewers were left questioning as to whether Gail will finally get her "happy ever after" as she's set to marry for the sixth time. Or will she leave Jesse jilted at the altar?

Fans of the ITV soap took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to react to the terrifying return. @98kltk wrote: "That Richard Hillman cameo was so sinister, I feel traumatised." @BlondBombshel8 added: "Richard Hillman re-appearing on Corrie wasn't quite the Christmas miracle I was expecting dudes!"

@JohnnySeifert continued: "21 years later, I am still not over Richard Hillman killing Maxine Peacock"

Richard murdered his ex-wife