The beloved character was sent away from Weatherfield in late 2023.
Next week, ONE Corrie family will be complete once again with the eagerly anticipated homecoming of a beloved figure.
After expecting the worst for yet another loved one, the clan in Coronation Street eventually receives good news the following week.
The motor neurone disease (MND) diagnosis of Paul Foreman has presented the Winter-Brown family with a number of challenges in recent months.
The builder played by Peter Ash was told he only had a few months to live and that Christmas 2023 would be his last after receiving the disease’s diagnosis.
As Paul’s mobility declined and he was forced to give up his job, his mother Bernie Winter (Jane Hazlegrove) devised a plan with Big Garth in an effort to support him.
However, everything backfired on her when, in late 2023, she was caught for handling stolen items and given a three-month jail term.
This meant that Bernie would have to serve at least half of her term, which meant she would not be able to spend her final Christmas with Paul.
Since his mother has been gone, Paul has had to battle more than ever, and he needs a wheelchair.
In the meanwhile, horrible claims that his twin sister Gemma Winter (Dolly-Rose Campbell) had poisoned her stepson Joseph Brown were levelled against her.
Gemma was forced to leave her family home and her children with her husband, Chesney Brown (Sam Aston), when social services opened an inquiry into her situation.
The family is fortunate to finally get positive news when Bernie Winter arrives back in Weatherfield the following week.
Bernie phones the Rovers on ITV after being freed from jail after completing half of her term.
She is ecstatic to discover, however, that Paul, Dev Alahan (Jimmi Harkishin), and his spouse Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank) have given her a surprise party when she gets there.
Will everything go as planned?
Bernie won’t be the only one going back on the cobbles, but this is yet to be determined.
At number five, Joseph Brown (played by William Flanagan) reports having a fever. Gemma is worried, but Chesney is certain he’s okay.
Gemma confides in Paul about her worries over Joseph, and he warns her not to mention anything for fear of jeopardising her social services case.
As an enraged Chesney overhears, Gemma discusses her worries with Dr. Gaddas at the café.
Later, Gemma, Chesney, and Paul play about with the children, but when Granny Linda (Jacqueline Leonard) shows up, the atmosphere is disturbed.
Will Bernie and Linda Hancock be able to get along after all of their disagreements?
Coronation Street airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8pm on ITV.
