Yet again: Is Hillman REALLY dead?

One of today's tabloids has suggested that Coronation Street writers are to 'cast serious doubt' as to whether Richard Hillman (Brian Capron) did indeed die.

Over the past few weeks, we've seen Gail Platt (Helen Worth) receive greeting card after greeting card supposedly from the cold-blooded killer himself. It still remains to be seen who is actually sending the cards but in a future storyline, Les Battersby (Bruce Jones) will claim that he has given Tricky Dickie a taxi ride home.

According to the Mirror, Gail is to receive yet another card from Hillman which reads: "Happy Birthday dearest Gail. Looking forward to seeing you all very, very soon. Love Richard."

Now, don't get me wrong, I'd love to see Brian Capron back on the cobbles but I can't see it somehow.

As I detailed back in Issue #12 - of the now old format Soap Scoop - an insider categorically denied that Hillman would be returning to Weatherfield.

Mind you, producers can - and do - change their minds when the viewing figures are at stake.

For now, I'll say the story is purely a ratings spinner - nothing more, nothing less.

That is until I'm told otherwise...

Watch this space.