Coronation Street bosses are said to be delighted that deaf actress Ali Briggs is to return to the soap to reprise the role of Emily Bishop's niece Freda.

Corrie won a prestigious accolade for the Best Portrayal of the Lives and Viewpoints of Disabled People on Television at the RADAR People of the Year Awards for the storyline involving the arrival in Weatherfield of Freda in 2005.

Ali portrayed the hearing-impaired character for eight episodes before leaving Coronation Street after being upset by Norris Cole who resented the attention she was getting from Emily.

Corrie producers have announced that they have decided to that Freda will return to the soap in July along with her fiance.

An insider told the Daily Mirror: "Norris struggled to deal with her deafness and this led to some great comedy scenes at Norris's expense.

"Freda was cast in the mould of many great Corrie women, she was funny, nosy, and a smart woman who just happened to be hearing impaired.

"We hope to carry on where we left off with her."

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