Coronation Street legend comes out of retirement 26 years after quitting her role as iconic character
A CORONATION Street legend has come out of retirement – 26 years after quitting the cobbles.
Fans of the long-running ITV soap have been left delighted as the star returns to the limelight.
Thelma Barlow – who is best remembered for playing Mavis Wilton in Coronation Street – will star in a short film.
Now 95, Thelma has signed up for Sleepless In Settle, which follows a mother trying to find a wife for her son.
Speaking about filming, the beloved actress said: “It was three action-packed days. It took me right back to my early days of rep theatre.”
Thelma, who also starred in BBC sitcom Dinnerladies, was also reunited with former co-star Judy Flynn, who wrote and directed the short film.
Explaining how the role came about, Judy said: “We met again at her 90th birthday party and I asked if I could write something specifically for her and she agreed.
“Filming with Thelma was a total joy. She had so much energy and was full of ideas.”
Mavis used to deliver simple but hilarious scenes in Corrie’s shop, The Kabin, alongside her pal Rita, played by Barbara Knox.
Thelma played Rita’s best friend on the cobbles until she departed for good in 1997.
Both stars were reunited last year as Barbara celebrated her 90th birthday at the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park.
The women shared the screen across three decades and their bond was still clear as they cried with laughter together at the flower show.
The pair were caught on camera as Barbara was filmed for her ITV documentary to celebrate her 90th birthday, which was released last Autumn.
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