‘I’ve always wanted to come back!’ Coronation Street confirms actor Martin Hancock will return as tree hugging hippy Spider Nugent after 19-year absence
Coronation Street’s Spider Nugent will soon be returning to the soap after 19-years, ITV have confirmed.
The eco warrior – who appeared on the cobbles between 1997 and 2003 – was initially introduced as the nephew of legendary character Emily Bishop (Eileen Derbyshire).
And original actor Martin Hancock, 53, is thrilled to be returning to the ITV soap 25 years after making his debut.
Back again! Coronation Street’s Spider Nugent (Martin Hancock) will soon be returning to the soap after 19 years ITV have confirmed
He said: ‘Having the opportunity to walk back onto the cobbles is fabulous, I’m so excited to be seeing a lot of old friends and picking up what Spider has been up to’.
Adding: ‘ I’ve always wanted to come back at some point and it just felt like this is the right time. I’m eternally grateful to Iain [executive producer Iain McLeod] for the opportunity.’
During his time on the soap, Spider – whose real name was Geoffrey David Nugent – struck up on on/off relationship with Toyah Battersby (Georgia Taylor) and the pair left the Street in 2000 for a new life in London.
Drama ahead: Original actor Martin Hancock, 53, is thrilled to be returning to the ITV soap 25 years after making his debut (pictured in 2001)
Spoiler: Coronation Street shared a teaser video of the characters return on Friday on the soap’s official Twitter account
Get ready:The teaser showed the character walking around Weatherfield, hailing a taxi and heading into the Rovers Return
The relationship failed and the pair split up, with Spider moving to Peru and Toyah leaving for Liverpool only to move back to Weatherfield to be with her family back in 2016.
Meanwhile, Spider – who was last seen visiting Emily after she had been attacked by serial killer Richard Hillman in 2003 – carried out charity work in Peru and was joined by his aunt back in 2016 following actress Eileen Derbyshire’s decision to step back from the show.
Executive producer Ian teased that Spider’s return to the soap will serve as an ‘enthralling new story’ for his former flame Toyah which could potentially ‘ruin her life forever.’
Old flame: During his time on the soap, Spider – whose real name was Geoffrey David Nugent – struck up on on/off relationship with Toyah Battersby (Georgia Taylor) and the pair left the Street in 2000 for a new life in London (pictured together in 1998)
He said: ‘Martin is a fabulous actor and Spider is a character with real heritage, and affection from fans. His return heralds an enthralling new story for Toyah, who will be embroiled in a mess of guilt and secrecy when Spider arrives. Will he be her saviour or the thing that ruins her life forever?’
With Toyah currently preparing for her wedding to Imran (Charlie de Melo), a character set to leave the cobbles this year, leading to speculation that her old flame Spider could derail the big day.
Coronation Street shared a teaser video of the characters return on Friday on the soap’s official Twitter account.
Soap stars: Pictured on the show with L-R Emily Bishop (Eileen Derbyshire) Vera Duckworth (Liz Dawn) Ken Barlow (William Roach) and Toyah Battersby
After teasing the news with a promo of Martin walking around the Salford based-set, fans rushed to twitter to share their excitement for the character’s imminent return.
One soap viewer wrote: ‘This is the best news I have heard for some time. I hope there’ll be a good storyline between Spider and Toyah?’.
While another added: ‘Get in! Spider’s a legend!’.
And a third commented: ‘This is the most random but awesome return in years!’
Excited: After teasing the news with a promo of Martin walking around the Salford based-set, fans rushed to twitter to share their excitement for the character’s imminent return
Spider man: Pictured alongside fellow co-stars Tracy Shaw and Kevin Kennedy
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