Coronation Street’s Kym Marsh heralds Helen Flanagan’s return as Rosie Webster and promises racy new storylines

KYM Marsh has promised Coronation Street fans the show is being "sexed up" with the return of some familiar faces.

The actress - who plays Michelle McDonald on the ITV soap - opened up about the plans for the residents of Weatherfield in her weekly column, just days after it was announced that Helen Flanagan would be reprising her role as Rosie Webster.

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The 40-year-old branded it "great news", adding: "I think Corrie’s being sexed up a bit, what with all the new Barlow boys and Helen’s return in the new year.

"I can understand why people want to spread their wings and try new things after being in a soap for years, but I can also understand wanting to return.

Helen, 26, announced her plans to return to her role as the ditzy model after a five year absence last week.

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Talking about reprising her role, Helen said: “I’m so excited to be returning to Coronation Street and being part of the Webster family again.”

During her time away from the soap, Helen has become a mother, giving birth to daughter Matilda with footballer fiance Scott Sinclair in June last year, and fellow mum Kym thinks the soap is a great place for a working mum.

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She added:  ‘It’s been five years since Helen left and she’s now a mum to Matilda and Corrie’s such a lovely place to work when you have a family as it gives you stability and structure, which you don’t often get as an actor."

Helen went from 10-year-old child actor to one of the country’s biggest soap stars during her first stint on the show, before departing in 2012.

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Coronation Street Producer Kate Oates said of her return to Weatherfield: “The Websters have missed Rosie and so have we.

“With Sophie away on holiday with her sister it seemed like the ideal time to bring Rosie back home with her for a visit.

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“We are delighted that Helen is as keen explore what Rosie has been up to away from the cobbles as we are.”

Viewers will also see the return of Peter Barlow - played by Chris Gascoyne - after two years away from the role.