Coronation Street Richard Hillman 'to kill again' as he returns from dead in shock twist

Coronation Street favourite Gail Platt was left terrified as she came face to face with her killer ex-husband Richard Hillman

Coronation Street's notorious villain Richard Hillman, played by Brian Capron, has made a surprising return to the soap, spelling trouble for one resident. The infamous serial killer first arrived on the cobbles in 2001 and quickly caused a stir with his reign of terror in Weatherfield.

Often dubbed as the most despised soap character and greatest villain ever, Richard was infamous for his murderous spree. During his reign of terror, he claimed the lives of several residents. He murdered his ex-wife Patricia Hillman (Annabelle Apsion) and Maxine Peacock (Tracy Shaw), before confessing his crimes to Gail Platt (Helen Worth). He then attempted to wipe out the entire Platt family: Gail, David (Jack P. Shepherd) and Sarah (Tina O'Brien), reports Plymouth Live.

In a chilling scene from 2003, Richard tied the Platts in the car, gassed them and drove them into a canal - but he was the only one who didn't survive. However, 21 years after leaving the soap, Richard made a shocking return this week for Gail's exit storyline. In Tuesday's episode (December 24), Gail woke up on her sofa to find a man rummaging through her drawers.

Initially, she assumed it was her fiance Jesse (John Thompson) - but she was mistaken. Baffling Coronation Street viewers, a recent scene left Gail Platt petrified when a man remarked: "I see you've changed the carpet in here."

A terrified Gail responded: "Who are you? What do you want? " To her shock, the man revealed his face, turning out to be her dead ex-husband Richard, who with a smile said: "Hello Gail" leaving her utterly stunned.

Speculation is rife among fans who believe Gail might actually be seeing things, while others are certain Richard is very much alive and poses a fresh threat. The Corrie community on social media has been abuzz, with comments on a Facebook group ranging from disbelieving exclamations like "No way...Richard Hillman."

And "WTF Richard Hillman is back! " to downright fear for Gail's safety as one fan posted, "He's back to kill Gail." Humorous takes include suggestions that "He could be back to murder Jesse? He can finally be reunited with Gail then." Making for sinister plot twists that even prompted one viewer to say: "Richard Hillman re-appearing on #Corrie wasn't quite the #Christmas miracle I was expecting dudes!"

Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX