Norris Cole is set for a return to Coronation Street after almost a year away from the cobbles.
The Kabin co-owner left the street off-screen earlier this year after actor Malcolm Hebden suffered a heart attack.
But now a cast member has revealed Malcolm is back to his best and has had meetings to facilitate his return.
According to the Daily Mirror, Malcolm will have a gradual return to work in the new year.
A cast member told the publication: “I was so pleasantly surprised to see him. It has been a long battle back to fitness but he looks better than I could have imagined.
Read more: Hollywood actress joins Corrie for mysterious role
“He looks really well, it is going to be great to have him back. The show has missed him. We’ve missed him.”
Malcolm’s on-screen wife, actress Patti Clare, better known as Mary Taylor, appeared on This Morning earlier this year and hinted Malcolm would soon be back.
Speaking about Malcolm’s possible return Patti hinted: “Norris is in Peru with Emily at the moment. Mary speaks to him often on the phone.
“There’s a faint whisper that he might be back, maybe, next year…”
Speaking about his heart attack, Malcolm told the Blackpool Gazette in July: “The heart attack tore a hole in my heart, they operated and took a chance.
“Fortunately I didn’t realise how bad it was; I was dying.”
Read more: Corrie viewers call time on Gina over disgraceful betrayal of sister Sally!
The actor was then in an induced coma for much of December last year following a ‘ground breaking’ operation that saw his heart ‘wallpapered’ using tissue from a cow.
Speaking about a possible return to the cobbles at the time, Malcolm said: “People are asking if I’m returning to the Street, but that’s just not known yet.
“I may do, I may not, it all depends on my recovery.”
Would you like to see Norris back on the cobbles? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!