Coronation Street legend Thelma Barlow comes out of retirement 26 years after leaving the soap

The actress, 95, is best known for playing Mavis Wilton in the ITV soap from 1971 to 1997. The character worked in the corner shop, The Kabin, alongside best friend and soap icon Rita Sullivan (Barbara Knox). Mavis was famously married to Derek Wilton who was played by the late Peter Francis Baldwin.

According to The Sun, Thelma is returning and will make her TV comeback but sadly for Corrie fans she won't be heading back to Weatherfield. The actress has signed up to play Barbra in the short film Sleepless In Seattle directed by actress Judy Flynn. The two ladies previously worked together when they both starred in the BBC One sitcom Dinnerladies. 

Speaking to the publication Judy explained how the role came about she 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."

Since leaving Coronation Street in 1997 Thelma has starred in many films and TV shows such as Fat Friends, Doctors, Midsomer Murders and Doc Martin. Her last appearance on screen was in 2016 when she played Mrs Oscar Garmuder in the Meryl Streep film Florence Foster Jenkins. 

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

Natalie Dixon is NationalWorld’s Lifestyle reporter. If you liked this article and want to read more about soaps, celebrities and lifestyle you can follow Natalie on X here. You can also sign up to her free weekly fashion and beauty column in the NationalWorld Today newsletter bringing you all the latest fashion and beauty news every Wednesday.