[Smithy]

Tracy Barlow will make her return to Coronation Street on Christmas Eve, it has been confirmed.

The Weatherfield superbitch - played by actress Kate Ford - was last seen on screen in May, when she made a failed attempt to get her 15-year jail sentence cut by testifying in court against former neighbour Gail McIntyre.

Show bosses had always planned for Tracy to make a full-time comeback by the end of the year, but the exact time of her return had been kept under wraps until now.

Speaking to the Daily Star Sunday, Corrie's series producer Phil Collinson revealed that a plot twist will see Tracy get out of prison - to the surprise of her family and the rest of the Street's residents.

Collinson explained: "Tracy will be back on Christmas Eve and, as you can imagine, she is the last person who everyone is expecting to see. Her family have no idea she's been let out, so they are completely shocked. But how she gets out of prison is something we want to keep a secret."

He added: "I'm really excited about all the trouble she'll cause. She's always loved Steve McDonald and the fact that they have a child together means that they will always have a bond. It's going to be interesting to see how Becky copes.

"And then there's also the small matter of Gail. She was nearly jailed because of Tracy's false testimony, so there will be quite a bit going on between them. The Street will still be getting over the tram crash. And then Tracy's back - which will bring its own disaster for some of the characters."

Katherine Kelly, who plays Becky, recently told DS that "all hell" will break loose following Tracy's return to the cobbles.

I'm kinda gutted she'll miss the tram crash, but omfg it's Tracy!!!