There's heartache heading for the cobbles as a sudden death hits Weatherfield residents hard...
Coronation Street residents will be left reeling when former character Archie Shuttleworth is dramatically killed off just before Christmas.
Long-time Corrie fans will remember Archie, portrayed by legendary actor Roy Hudd, played a huge part in the Richard Hillman storyline when he and Audrey Robert's worked out the serial killer's deadly secrets.
When no one else believed Audrey that Richard was trying to kill her, Archie was the one who helped her prove she wasn't losing her mind to the rest of Weatherfield.
Viewers will also remember that Archie was the local undertaker in Weatherfield and got a name for himself as the mischievous friend of Rita Tanner and Audrey who liked nothing more than to flirt up a storm.
Despite his charming ways, Archie never managed to find any luck in love when it came to Audrey, but that doesn't mean she didn't hold him in high regard.
The character joined the soap in 2002 and appeared on screen for a year. Actor Roy Hudd then made guest appearances as Archie in 2006 for Mike Baldwin's funeral, and then again in 2010 for friend Blanche's funeral.
Roy Hudd is an English actor, comedian, presenter and radio host, having appeared in a whole host of legendary shows as well as Coronation Street.
Roy's CV also boasts TV shows like One Foot in the Grave, Broadchurch, Call the Midwife, Holby City, Benidorm, Casualty and Ashes to Ashes to name but a few.
Weatherfield's Audrey is set to get a blast from the past when she discovers Archie has died in a few weeks time, and it is left to her to break the sad news to Rita.
The pair will take a trip down memory lane, remembering the things about Archie that made them smile - but this isn't the only drama Audrey will be facing this Christmas.
As well as Archie's shock death, Audrey is also set to get a windfall in the coming weeks, something that is bound to grab the attention of conman Lewis Archer.
As her family try and prove a leopard can't change their spots and that Lewis is nothing but a thief, will Audrey listen to their pleas? Or is she about to lose all her money once again?
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.
Picture credits: Main image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock, Coronation Street images: ITV and Roy Hudd image: BBC/Neal Street Productions
