In a dramatic double development for one of Britain's most beloved television institutions, Coronation Street is set to welcome back a familiar face while temporarily bidding farewell to another. The ITV soap opera, a staple of British broadcasting since 1960, is gearing up for a compelling whodunnit storyline that will see the return of actor Ashley Campbell as DC Wiley after a three-year absence from the cobbles of Weatherfield.
Ashley Campbell's Return as DC Wiley
Ashley Campbell, who first debuted as DC Wiley in 2021, is reportedly scheduled to reappear on Coronation Street next week as part of a nail-biting murder mystery plot. The character, last seen in 2023 interrogating Max Turner over potential involvement in far-right extremism, will be thrust into a new investigation following the mysterious death of a Weatherfield resident.
According to sources speaking to The Sun newspaper, Campbell's return will be brief but significant. "Ashley is a great actor and Coronation Street is glad to have him back," revealed an insider. "He'll be returning to the soap next week after a mystery Weatherfield resident is found dead. He will only be back for a few episodes and fans will have to tune in to see how the storyline will play out."
A Seasoned Soap Actor
Ashley Campbell brings considerable experience to his reprised role, having previously appeared in other major British soap operas including Emmerdale and Hollyoaks. Beyond the world of continuing drama, viewers may recognize him from appearances in popular series such as Call The Midwife, Doctor Who, Father Brown, and Doctors.
While it remains uncertain whether Campbell's return will extend beyond the immediate whodunnit storyline, his character's history includes investigating Seb Franklin's fatal attack in 2021, establishing DC Wiley as a familiar presence in Weatherfield's criminal investigations.
Catherine Tyldesley's Temporary Departure
Simultaneously, fan favourite Catherine Tyldesley is preparing to take a temporary break from Coronation Street to film exit scenes for Channel 5's crime drama The Good Ship Murder. The 42-year-old actress, who returned to the cobbles in October 2025 after a seven-year absence, reprising her role as Eva Price, has received permission from Corrie bosses to travel to Malta this spring to shoot her departure from the rival programme.
Upon her return to Weatherfield, Tyldesley's character Eva Price became the new landlady of The Rovers Return, running the iconic pub alongside new partner Ben Driscoll (played by Aaron McCusker) and their blended family. This development marked a significant moment for long-time viewers of the series.
Coordinating Dual Commitments
A source explained the careful coordination between the two productions: "Cath spoke to her bosses at Corrie about taking some time off to film her Good Ship exit and they agreed. When she agreed to return to the soap there was a lot of uncertainty about whether or not she would be able to go back, but fortunately it's all working out."
The Good Ship Murder, which stars Tyldesley alongside her former Coronation Street co-star Shayne Ward as main character Kate Woods, is currently concluding its third series. Production on the fourth series is scheduled to begin later this year, with Tyldesley's character expected to receive what insiders describe as a "happy ending" rather than being killed off.
"There was talk about possibly killing off her character but in the end bosses decided that she would get a happy ending," the source continued. "The writers are delighted that Cath is able to return to film her exit. Cath and Shayne have formed such an incredible partnership on-screen and the viewers deserve to see how it all ends for them."
Returning to Corrie's Roots
In a recent interview with the Daily Mail, Catherine Tyldesley reflected on her decision to return to Coronation Street after her lengthy absence, crediting producer Kate Brooks with revitalizing the show's classic appeal. "What Kate Brooks, our wonderful producer, has done is bring back an old school Corrie feeling," Tyldesley explained.
"She is super passionate about that and she is a big Corrie fan and that was one of the reasons I agreed to come back, was because of her vision for the show and where she wanted to take it," the actress continued. "Finding those character-led storylines, with strong women at the forefront is something Corrie has always done so well and that the audience seem to crave, and I think Kate is feeding that."
Tyldesley emphasized the importance of balancing tradition with contemporary storytelling: "It's important to move with the times but also know who your target audience is, everyone kept saying they want that 'Old school Corrie vibe, we want it to be character led' and I feel the show is nailing that."
Continuing Legacy
These parallel developments underscore the complex balancing act required in long-running television series, where actors often juggle multiple commitments while maintaining the continuity that viewers cherish. Coronation Street, which airs on ITV1 and is available for streaming on ITVX, continues to evolve while honoring its six-decade legacy as a cornerstone of British popular culture.
The upcoming whodunnit storyline featuring Ashley Campbell's return promises to deliver the suspense and character-driven drama that has become synonymous with the series, while Catherine Tyldesley's temporary departure highlights the interconnected nature of Britain's television industry, where talent frequently moves between major productions.
