Rula Lenska returns to Coronation Street as she films back on the cobbles for the first time in seven years
RULA Lenska has finally returned to Weatherfield - seven years after leaving.
The actress, 70, was back on the Coronation Street cobbles on Tuesday afternoon to start filming her first scenes for the hit ITV soap.
Rula is reprising her role as Audrey Roberts' longtime pal Claudia Colby.
A Coronation Street fan account on Twitter revealed the news yesterday.
They wrote: "Here’s some goss for you - Rula Lenska started filming back at Corrie today (also she said a little hello to us too!)"
The Sun's Bizarre column revealed earlier this year that Rula - as well as actor Nigel Havers - would be returning to Coronation Street.
An ITV source said: “Producers are delighted to have Nigel and Rula back.
“They were both hugely popular on the show, and it feels like an age since either of them were last on the cobbles.
“They are returning this summer but at separate points and in different storylines.
“Both stories will involve Sue Nicholls, who plays Audrey.
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“Smooth-talking Lewis will have his eye on Audrey, while Claudia is a real thorn in her side, trying to poach her staff and stealing her customers.
“It will be lots of fun and much more like the Corrie comedy of old.”
Rula first joined the soap in 2009, but she quit the role in May 2011 order to join the Calendar Girls tour.
In January 2006, she appeared in Celebrity Big Brother alongside the likes of George Galloway and Pete Burns.
She was the third housemate voted out of the show.
Rula was married to actor Brian Deacon from 1977-1987. The pair had a daughter, Lara, together.
She was married to actor Dennis Waterman from January 3, 1987 - March, 31, 1998. The pair met on the set of Minder in 1982.
She's also appeared in several stage productions, including The Vagina Monologues and 84 Charing Cross Road.
Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights on ITV.
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