‘Coronation Street’: Who is Spider as character returns after two decades?

A familiar face is back on the cobbles next week, as Geoffrey ‘Spider’ Nugent returns to Coronation Street. Spider will become embroiled in ex-girlfriend Toyah Habeeb's (Georgia Taylor) ongoing storyline, as she struggles in the aftermath of her arrest for the murder of husband Imran Habeeb (Charlie de Melo) after that fatal car crash.

But if you’re wondering exactly where Spider has been, and you need a reminder of his previous stints on the ITV soap, here’s everything you need to know.

Read more: Spider returns to Coronation Street

The character was first seen back in 1997, when he arrived to visit his aunt, Emily Bishop (Eileen Derbyshire). Spider was an eco warrior who became involved in a campaign to save the trees on The Red Rec, and also competed to be a local councillor.

His relationship with Toyah broke down when Spider booked them on a trip to India without telling her, and he left alone. The following year, Spider came back to see Emily.

He revealed he was starting a business in London, and asked Emily to lend him some money. She agreed, and Spider set off once more.

Corrie viewers didn’t see him again until 2003, when Emily was viciously attacked by serial killer Richard Hillman.

After ensuring Emily would be okay, Spider invited Toyah, who had endured a traumatic few years in Weatherfield, to join him in London.

The couple departed as friends before getting back together off-screen; but by 2011, they had gone their separate ways once more, as Toyah married a man called Toby.

Spider moved to Peru, and in late 2015, his Auntie Emily got back in touch with him. In the new year, Emily left Coronation Street after 55 years to join her nephew in Peru, where he was doing voluntary work. We've since learned that Emily has settled down in Edinburgh, but have yet to hear what happened to Spider.

Meanwhile, Toyah returned to Weatherfield in 2016, having begun an affair with Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne), the ex-husband of her stepsister Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson).

Read more: Coronation Street's William Roache almost quit role as Ken

Toyah, who longed to be a mother, split from Peter after she tried to pass off Eva Price’s (Catherine Tyldesley) baby daughter as their child. Now that mistake has come back to haunt Toyah, whose bond with Alfie, the baby son of husband Imran, has called her motives into question.

Toyah learned Imran had committed perjury in order to gain custody; and in her fury, she drove their car into a wall, causing Imran’s untimely death. As she prepares to fight against her murder charge, Toyah will turn to protesting as a distraction, and it's at this point that Spider arrives on the scene.

Tune in to Coronation Street next week to see your first glimpse of Spider after 19 years.

Catch up on Toyah's turmoil in Coronation Street