Coronation Street's Ken Barlow, Rita Tanner and Audrey Roberts WILL return for the 60th anniversary in December

CORONATION Street legends Ken Barlow, Rita Tanner and Audrey Roberts will be back in time for the soap's 60th anniversary, boss Iain Macleod has confirmed.

The soap stalwarts – actors Bill Roache, Barbara Knox and Sue Nichols – have been shielding due to their age, but bosses have worked out a safe way for them to resume filming.

And all three will be back on screen well in time for the December celebrations.

Executive producer Iain told The Sun Online: "Ken, Rita and Audrey will be back for the 60th . That’s good news for everyone."

But he ruled out any other legendary characters making a comeback, adding: "Other returns, the answer to that is no – I love our cast – we have an incredible bunch of legends.

"I don’t want a revolving door of cameos, it feels like a cheap trick. Our current cast is fabulous – I didn’t want to add more."

The news comes as the soap confirmed it will return to airing six episodes per week from Monday September 14.

A series of explosive storylines will see David and Shona fighting to rekindle their lost love, Daniel’s confused emotional connection to sex worker Nicky deepen, an epic feud between Abi and Debbie begins, while Peter’s involvement in Abi’s dark past will bring trouble to his own door with Carla.

Leanne will take on the world as she fights to save her son Oliver, however a face from Nick’s past threatens his future when Natasha Blakeman returns to Weatherfield.

Natasha isn’t the only face returning to Coronation Street, Todd Grimshaw’s return spells more heartache for Eileen and plants a bomb under Billy and Paul. 

But it’s not all heartache for Eileen when a new arrival puts a spring in her step and finally gives her a worthy love interest.

Iain said: “The amount of work that has gone into keeping Coronation Street on the air, and getting it back to six episodes a week, has been staggering. 

“I am so proud of the tireless efforts of everyone behind the scenes and onscreen. 

“We have been energised and motivated by the nearly 60 years of heritage behind the show, and the massively important place it still holds in the Nation’s hearts. “

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