Party planned on the cobbles for Michael Le Vell

Michael Le Vell will be thrown a party when he returns to 'Coronation Street'.

The 48-year-old actor - who plays mechanic Kevin Webster in the ITV soap - is expected to return to work in February 2014 after being cleared of 12 counts of child sex abuse last month, and his castmates can't wait to welcome him back.

Charlie Condou, who plays Marcus Dent, told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "It's brilliant to have him back, everyone's relieved that stuff is over. He has had a lot of stuff thrown at him and people saying things, but he's got through it. I think there will be a party or something planned for his return. I think he is just itching to get back."

Meanwhile, 21-year-old actress Brooke Vincent, who plays Michael's on-screen daughter Sophie Webster in the show, says she's "missed" her on-screen dad and looks forward to his return.

She added: "People forget that we are a team and we spend more time with them than we do our friends and family. We all get on and everyone has their role in the green room."

Michael's character Kevin has not been seen on screens since February after the actor was suspended pending the outcome of his court case for sexual abuse of a minor.

The actor is thought to have signed a new £250,000 deal ahead of his comeback.