Coronation Street legend Malcolm Hebden returned to the set this weekend for a special reason. While the Norris Cole star is not filming any scenes, he did attend a big party the ITV soap threw for Barbara Knox.

The Rita Tanner legend was being honoured with a party full of former castmates as she turns 90 this month. Pictures posted by the cast show Malcolm watching on as Barbara gives a speech to the guests.

Malcolm suffered a devastating heart attack in 2017 and quit acting. He returned to make small cameo appearances in the soap but in 2021 announced he had quit for good.

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In the show, his character had moved to a retirement home where Ken Barlow was also staying. He made his final appearance in 2020 and it was later announced on the soap that Norris had died.

Malcolm said at the time: “I absolutely adored playing Norris and I was pleased to be able to return briefly after my operation.

“It took a great deal of courage to make the decision to retire. But I had come to realise that although the mind was willing the body was not so much.”

A special documentary on Barbara is set to air on ITV next month and the party is likely to be included. She will be joined by former Coronation Street star Bradley Walsh as she looks back on her life on the cobbles.

It’s set to air on October 13.