Gabrielle Glaister returning to Coronation Street

Gabrielle Glaister is returning to 'Coronation Street'.

The 62-year-old actress has agreed a deal with producers to reprise her role as cruise ship entertainer Debs Brownlow, 22 years after she sailed away from the cobbles and soap bosses think fans will love the "blast from the past".

A source told the Daily Star Sunday newspaper: "Gabrielle was approached by Corrie execs earlier this year.

"After a series of top-secret meetings, she signed on the dotted line.

"Everyone is now really excited about Debs returning to Weatherfield. It’s going to be a brilliant blast from the past for fans."

During her original 2000 stint in Weatherfield, Debs stole her sister Natalie Barnes' (Denise Welch) boyfriend and insiders say the character will be shaking things up for other residents this time around.

The source added: "The writers are planning some great storylines for Debs. There’s going to be plenty of drama."

The former 'Blackadder' actress has already returned to filming on the soap, with her first appearance on screen likely to air in the autumn.

When she was first cast as Debs, Gabrielle's casting came as a surprise because she was already well known for playing Patricia Farnham in rival soap 'Brookside' from 1990 to 1997.

She admitted at the time she was a "huge fan" of 'Corrie so couldn't pass up the chance to be part of the long-running ITV soap.

She said when she first joined the show : "I am a huge fan of Coronation Street and I am thrilled to be working alongside Denise [Welch].

"I'm just hoping it won't spoil my enjoyment as a viewer as I will know what is going to happen."