'Coronation Street' star Nigel Havers to reprise role as Lewis Archer

Coronation Street bosses have announced that Nigel Havers has signed up to reprise his role as Lewis Archer.

Con artist Lewis was last seen on screen in summer 2010 but will make a shock return to Weatherfield next year.

Viewers first saw Lewis in December 2009 when he was introduced as a gentleman escort who caught the eye of Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls). A love triangle plot followed featuring Lewis, Audrey and Rita Sullivan, before Lewis started dating Audrey full-time.

However, events took a darker turn last summer when Lewis started charming Deirdre Barlow (Anne Kirkbride) in a bid to pull off a scam at the bookies.

Lewis later fled from the cobbles with his ill-gotten gains but stopped short of scamming Audrey when his conscience got the better of him.

Teasing the character's return, a statement on Coronation Street's official website said: "With Lewis about to return to Weatherfield, is there more heartbreak ahead for Audrey or could things finally be looking up?"

Havers previously hinted at a Coronation Street return back in February. He said at the time: "I absolutely adore it and I've got to go and say sorry to Sue [Nicholls] - to Audrey… I was in Manchester yesterday talking about it - so watch this space."

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