Hayley Cropper returns to Corrie

Julie Hesmondhalgh will return to her role as Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street later this year.

The 38-year-old actress, who plays a transsexual on the show, was allowed a 12-month break due to exhaustion.

Hesmondhalgh said she wanted to spend more time with her husband Ian Kershaw and daughter Martha.

She will appear on screen again for the first time in September. Her character's last storyline involved her coming to terms with meeting her own son, who she didn't know existed.

A source told The Mirror: "Julie just wanted to take time off and do normal things like take her daughter to school. Re-charging her batteries and being a mum was top of the agenda.

"Julie is such a popular member of the show that she really has been missed."