Corrie’s new boss Kate Oates is talking about bringing some old favourites back to the Street

New Coronation Street boss Kate Oates has said she’s planning to bring some favourite characters back to the soap.

Former Emmerdale producer Kate starts work on Corrie this week and has been eyeing the return of some iconic cast members.

The plans mean former Weatherfield residents Bet Lynch (Julie Goodyear), Curly Watts (Kevin Kennedy), Reg Holdsworth (Ken Morley) and Mavis Wilton (Thelma Barlow) could be among those to return to the cobbles.

The way they were in Spain in 1974: back row - Betty, Annie and Hilda. Front row: Bet, Emily, Deirdre, Mavis and Rita

Speaking to the Daily Star, Kate said: “I’ve been tossing around a few ideas in my head about who will be back. There's nothing I can really talk about yet. I’d need to talk to the writers first.

“I think Corrie has a strong cast and also a strong history. And it’s nice to mix and match.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what the writers are interested in doing and matching their ideas with mine. Often you find yourselves thinking from the same place. You think along similar lines. And I’m sure that’s true when it comes to bringing back popular characters.”

Former Rovers Return landlady Bet left Weatherfield in 1995, but has made brief returns to the show in 1999, 2002 and 2003.

Meanwhile, lovable supermarket manager Curly and his second wife Emma left in 2003.

(Image credit: EMPICS Sports Photo Agency)

Toyah and Leanne Battersby in 1997

Rita (Barbara Knox) still visits her former Kabin sidekick Mavis, who left in 1997 to run a guesthouse in the Lake District following the death of her husband Derek (played by the late Peter Baldwin).

Back in December, Corrie bosses denied Kate was bringing back former cast members Helen Flanagan (Rosie Webster), Georgia Taylor (Toyah Battersby) and Keith Duffy (Ciaran McCarthy).