Coronation Street has announced the return of character Julie Carp as part of Eileen Grimshaw’s exit storyline.

Actor Katy Cavanagh has returned to the cobbles to reprise her role after almost 10 years away. She’s set to surprise her on-screen sister Eileen and nephew Todd Grimshaw by turning up unannounced in Weatherfield, giving no real details about how long she plans to stay.

Filming for her scenes has already begun, with viewers set to see Julie return on February 21.

“It is exciting to dust off Julie’s quirky wardrobe again and an absolute joy to step back onto the cobbles,” says Cavanagh. “Julie is so much fun, I’ve missed her.”

Her character’s return coincides with Sue Cleaver’s exit storyline, who announced in January that she’s leaving the soap in the spring after 25 years.

“The door is still firmly open but as I reached my 60th year I decided it was time to embrace change, look for new adventures and live fearlessly,” she said in a statement.

Show bosses have teased that Eileen and Todd are both “delighted” to be reunited with Julie but question her reason for returning. “How long is she planning on staying and how will former partner Brian Packham feel about her arrival?” they asked.

Cavanagh made her Coronation Street debut back in 2008, arriving in Weatherfield as Julie following a holiday romance with Kirk Sutherland (Andy Whyment).

The relationship was short-lived and Julie’s interests moved on to Eileen’s son Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas), before she learned the Grimshaw matriarch was actually her half-sister, making Jason her nephew.

She eventually found love with Newsagent Brian Packham (Peter Gunn) and they left the street together in 2015. However, off-screen they split, with Brian returning to the cobbles without her in November 2016.

“We’re delighted to have the inimitable Julie Carp back on the Cobbles,” Coronation Street producer Kate Brooks said. “As the ever lovable Julie breezes back into the lives of the Grinshaws, not everything is quite as it seems, and Julie’s secret sets off a chain of events that has huge ramifications for Eileen.

“Katy has slipped back into Julie’s shoes with such ease that it’s like she’s never been away, and we can’t wait for the audience to watch Julie’s story unfold; a story full of love, laughter and tears.”