One of the many male menaces of Coronation Street, vile Ross Wilkes (Ian Burfield) is somehow managing to cement himself in the Dobbs household, despite his obvious moustache twirling persona, and the on/off suspicions of Fiz (Jennie McAlpine).
Despite Cassie (Claire Sweeney) outright revealing that he raped her as a teenager, before she then mysteriously went missing, Tyrone (Alan Halsall) has still welcomed the dodgy prison officer under his roof, clearly content to overlook the clues in order to have the father figure he has craved since the late, great Jack Duckworth.
Not content with getting his own way, Ross is now trying to mould Tyrone into what he believes is an alpha male, but what society correctly knows is a toxic personality.
Over the course of the next few weeks, Tyrone will be conflicted but will exhibit very out of character behaviour.
And, meanwhile, in Ross’ line of work, he is no better – targeting recently jailed Gary Windass (Mikey North).
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Just why is he paying an interest in the neighbour turned inmate?
Mikey pondered to us: ‘Gary finds it really strange and doesn’t quite know what’s going on.
‘Ross’s behaviour and some of the things he says are quite odd. Gary doesn’t want to repel against him too much too quickly because he thinks Ross might look after him in there, but Gary is definitely skeptical and taken aback.’
Gary is no stranger to swinging a fist or two, and he is known for taking his revenge – sometimes with fatal results.
So, with a character like Ross having a shelf life, thoughts immediately turn to the likes of Gary, Tyrone, Fiz or even a returning Cassie bringing him down.
But, hark! Let’s add Owen Armstrong into the mix, with Ian Pulestone-Davies reprising the role he left 11 years ago.
If there’s someone even more hot headed than Gary, it’s builder and constant ranter Owen.
The timing of the return is interesting and, with promises of chaos in his wake, it’s surely his first port of call to defend stepson Gary – and put monstrous Ross into his radar of rage.
Owen is never reluctant to put someone in their place, and that can often be through threats and violence – and Ross will certainly meet his match.
With Gary in prison potentially facing the wrath of his prison superior, step forward Owen to sort things out.
Is this the end for Ross? Let’s hope his days are numbered…
‘I can’t wait to pick up where I left off ten years ago!,’ Ian said of his return to the cobbles.
‘It’s brilliant to be back and to get stuck into a cracking storyline. Owen’s back and he’s still angry!’
Producer Kate Brooks added: ‘We’re thrilled that Ian is back, and Owen brings a ton of drama!
‘As he joins forces with an unlikely alliance, he wreaks havoc on the Street, and his relationship with Gary is severely put to the test. Needless to say, there’s never a dull moment when Owen’s around.’
The actor will appear on screen in Weatherfield for the first time after over a decade in January.