[Scarlett.]

Coronation Street star Craig Charles returned to work this week – to film a plot line which sees his *character Lloyd go head-to-head with Steve McDonald.

In a “terrific” comeback after six months away, Lloyd will create mayhem by *planning to open a rival cab firm to Steve’s Streetcars.

Craig, 47, had hoped to take just three months off to film a new series of cult sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf – but writers had struggled to write Lloyd back in.

A Street source said: “There were all kinds of rumours flying around that Craig wasn’t coming back at all.

“But it seems he is back with a bang.

"Craig is well liked by the production crew and has some great banter with them, so he has been missed.

"It’s a relief and joy that he is back.”

Viewers saw Lloyd leave to start a new life in November after being left broken-hearted by his break-up with girlfriend Cheryl.

Mirror