A legendary Coronation Street star has made a dramatic return to the cobbles after they fled Weatherfield in April. 

Killer florist Tracy Barlow, played by Kate Ford, 47, made a swift departure from the cobbles on Tuesday’s episode as she headed to Spain with her lover Tommy Orpington leaving her husband Steve McDonald and their daughter Amy behind.

But she is now reportedly back on the iconic Salford as has already started shooting scenes, according to the Sun. 

A source told the publication: ‘Kate Ford has been spotted at the studios by fans – which means Tracy Barlow is back.

‘She’ll make her shock return next week – which will surprise fans as she’s been away since leaving for Spain in summer.’

Killer florist Tracy Barlow, played by Kate Ford, 47, made a swift departure from the cobbles on Tuesday’s episode but she is now reportedly back on the iconic Salford as has already started shooting scenes

A source told The Sun: ‘Kate Ford has been spotted at the studios by fans – which means Tracy Barlow is back’

The latest spoilers for next Wednesday’s episode suggest she is indeed back, but no spoiler images have been released to confirm as much.

Elsewhere, they tease that Cᴀssie Plummer will be let go as Ken Barlow’s carer amid financial difficulties, as his family suspect that she’s exploiting him for money. 

However, when Ken’s health deteriorates further, he offers Cᴀssie an extra pound per hour to stay on as his carer. 

It seems Cᴀssie contemplates the offer, only for Adam Barlow and Steve McDonald to expose everything to Tracy, compelling her to step in and care for him, sending Cᴀssie packing.

At the time Tracy previously left, she told her dejected husband (Simon Gregson) their marriage was over. 

As she tried to get into a taxi, Steve said: ‘Tracy don’t do this’. 

When Kate left Tracy told her dejected husband ( Simon Gregson ) their marriage was over 

In the emotional scenes, Tracy told her dejected husband Steve McDonald ( Simon Gregson ) their marriage was over as she headed to Spain with her lover Tommy Orpington

Carla and Tim asked what’s going on, to which Tracy replied: ‘I’m leaving him, that’s what’s going on’. 

‘It’s over Steve. I’m sorry’, before she added: ‘Steve, can you tell Amy that I’ll see her tomorrow before I go.’ 

Fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to say they were sorry to see Tracy, who was born in Weatherfield, leave after 47 years. 

They wrote: ‘Shame one of the best characters ever is leaving the cobbles!’

‘We will miss Tracy she is one of the funniest characters’ and ‘Tracy is one of the reasons we watch #Corrie, hope she recovers soon, it won’t be the same without her.’ 

‘He is well rid! Typical Tracy to take it out on him, too, when she is in the wrong. Wonder what’s in store for Stevie boy on the dating front now?!’ and ‘Poor Steve? Absolute mug taking her back!’

‘Of the two, I’m glad they kept Steve, now give him a good storyline, maybe a funny love interest.’ 

Kate is the forth actress to play Tracy. She joined Coronation Street in 2002 and brought a darker side to the character during her five-year stint.

She returned in 2010 for a 14 year stint on the soap.

Simon recently told of his hopes for Steve after the demise of his marriage.

He said: ‘I think it would be great if we see Steve having to go down the route of speed dating, online dating. Steve could have a full on mid life crisis, maybe we could see him losing weight, changing his appearance, going to the gym. It could be a lot of fun and also a great excuse for me to make some changes in real life!

‘At this point in Steve’s life he’d be lucky to have anybody! He gets why Tracy is attracted to Tommy, but he’s just so upset that his idol has done this to him. I think there’s so much going on at once that he’s not properly put it together yet.’ 

Actress Kate Ford, 47, is yet to publicly address her exit and it remains unknown if we will see her again anytime soon

Tracy and Tommy’s affair began back in February after she enlisted the footballer to help redecorate her home

Reprising his role as ex Weathy County striker Tommy, Matt Milburn said at the time: ‘I was absolutely thrilled and over the moon, because it’s something I’ve wanted for years’

Fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to say they were sorry to see Tracy, who was born in Weatherfield, leave after 47 years

Tracey and Tommy’s affair began back in February after she enlisted the footballer to help redecorate her home. 

Reprising his role as ex Weathy County striker Tommy, Matt Milburn said at the time: ‘I was absolutely thrilled and over the moon, because it’s something I’ve wanted for years.

‘I’ve played Tommy intermittently since 2016 so to be told that I was going to be coming back and given something far more substantial, I was delighted.

‘Tommy is the perfect character for me to play because I love football and he’s a famous northern footballer. It’s great to be back.’

Coronation Street is availble to stream exclusively on ITVX.