Bet back on the Street next month

Julie Goodyear is returning to Coronation Street as Bet Lynch on June 10.

The actress says she is coming back for a 12-month stint because the soap's producer was "very persuasive".

She played the barmaid for 25 years before quitting seven years ago.

"I can tell you for a fact it wasn't the bloody money," she said. "When you compare it to Dallas, Dynasty or footballers' wages, it's not much.

"I never asked to come back, I would never, ever, have asked for the job back, but the producer is very, very persuasive."

Goodyear said she was dreading the 7.30am to 7.30pm shifts and said she will appear in all of the first five episodes after her shock return.

When pressed as to why she came back, she said: "I think, and I'm sure viewers would agree, comedy was one of the Street's strengths and they obviously felt that I could be a part of helping to bring that back.

"I am not saying that drama is not essential, but the Street has always had that lovely dry Northern sense of humour."

Bet returns to the Street to celebrate Betty Williams's retirement in familiar style.

The former barmaid returns from living in Brighton ostensibly for the party but producers are keeping tight-lipped about the real reason for her comeback.