Coronation Street fans SPEECHLESS to spot THIS familiar face make a shock return

Coronation Street
(Image credit: ITV)

Paula Martin has made a surprise return to the cobbles...

Eagle-eyed Coronation Street fans were stunned to see Paula Martin back in Weatherfield after months away.

Viewers will remember that Paula, played by actress Stirling Gallacher, is the solicitor who represented Sally Metcalfe in her court case when she was framed for fraud by Duncan Radfield.

Yasmeen in court Paula Coronation Street ITV

Yasmeen is in court for her plea hearing - and Paula Martin is on her legal team (Picture: ITV)

She also went on to have a relationship with Sally's youngest daughter, Sophie, and then had a one night stand with Tracy McDonald on New Year's Eve.

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Paula has been part of the legal team working with Imran Habeeb, and on Monday night she made a blink-and-you'll-miss-it return to the courtroom as Yasmeen Metcalfe (Shelley King) took to the stand for her plea hearing.

Yasmeen in court Paula Coronation Street ITV

Alya tried to get her gran to realise the depth of Geoff's abuse on Monday's Coronation Street (Picture: ITV)

Fans were shocked to see her make an unexpected return and took to social media to share their surprise...

Coronation Street fans have watched Yasmeen struggling with life in prison after she was accused of the attempted murder of husband Geoff Metcalfe (Ian Bartholomew).

Yasmeen in court Paula Coronation Street ITV

Fans were thrilled to have Paula back on their screens for a brief moment (Picture: ITV)

Viewers know that Geoff has been abusing Yasmeen for the last year and that she lashed out in self-defence, but Geoff is currently playing the victim to perfection.

Fans will have to wait until tonight to watch Yasmeen plea not guilty for trying to kill her husband with a wine bottle, and Paula will be back on our screens as the drama unfolds.

Tracy cheats on Steve with Paula in Coronation Street

Paula was seen earlier this year as she had a fling with Tracy McDonald (Picture: ITV)

It was announced earlier this year that Stirling had joined BBC medical drama Casualty as police officer Ffion Morgan, the wife of popular paramedic, Jan, played by Di Botcher.

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.