Coming from a discussion on the night thread, I wanted to get the opinions of the rest of the forum. Would you like to see Alison King reprise her role as Mrs Fanshaw in a triumphant return to Coronation Street.

In case for some reason you've forgotten her, here's a reminder;

https://youtu.be/3A9pQX_TGjQ

I believe having an actor play a character, then another character and then return to their original character would be a soap first and I believe there are buckets of potential for the clean slate of Mrs Fanshaw rather than Carla who had run her course by the time of her exit.

The many fantasies I had over Jason Grimshaw and Mrs Fanshaw... puberty days haha.

It's a shame Jason has now left as well, he could have been in for a repeat performance if Mrs Fanshaw is to return.

There was a great suggestion to have Mrs Fanshaw and Carla both appear at the same time. That would be a soap first!

So glad that you've given this its own thread Foxy

I can claim the kudos for suggesting that Mrs Fanshaw and Carla appear in the show at the same time.

I also suggested that Mrs Fanshaw take over the Rovers with her special biscuits ...

Mrs Fanshaw at the Rovers would be a great move! I like your suggestion of her keeping the Red dressing gown as well, it could become as iconic as Bet with her leopard print.

I envision her returning as a widow with her husband's inheritance in her pocket, she is classier than the majority of her clientele at the pub but is also a little devious and is not afraid to play dirty to get what she wants after all thats how she has got where she is now.

The red silk dressing gown will definitely be as iconic as Bet's leopard print, Hilda's curlers and Ena's hairnet. It's a no-brainer.

I agree that it'd be good to have her return as a widow with plenty of cash in the bank. She really raises the standard of the Rovers, so much so that the pub wins the 'Best British Pub Award' not long after her taking over. She becomes sworn enemies with Liz McDonald and the two have many fights.

Yes! I think Mrs Fanshaw's new look Rovers could be critically acclaimed, I can see her getting rid of some of the tired decor for a start and making things look a bit more stylish for her taste. I can imagine that while she would clash with Liz, she might get on well with Eva and take her under her wing as a sort of apprentice. Meanwhile Sally would be eager to suck up to Mrs Fanshaw what with her social climbing aspirations.

There is clearly a vast storyline potential for her and she could slot into the street well imo.

I thought this thread was going to be about Babs Fanshaw, the lady "escort" Ken took out (played by Bridget Forsyth?), who dropped dead #throwbackthursday

There was a Babs Fanshawe in Corrie once played by Brigit Forsyth.

What did I *just* say, one post above? Sheesh...

Love the idea of seeing Sally try to suck up to Mrs Fanshaw. Such a great idea and so much potential for future storylines.

Mrs Fanshaw really makes her mark by renovating the Rovers, initially taking on Phelan to do the work but when she realises what sweaty a creep he is, she kicks him into touch once and for all. She enlists the help of some hunky Lithuanian builders to finish the renovations, getting them to plaster more than just her walls.

Ken was the escort, Babs Fanshawe was the client!

Mrs Fanshaw, by contrast, would never need to enlist the services of a gigolo.

I'm aware of that, I realised I'd worded that confusingly. I meant the lady that "escort Ken" took out... Guess there should have been a "that" in there, or the quotation marks should have been adjusted slightly

Sorry davads, I didn't mean for my post to sound arsey. I'm just too caught up in my love for Mrs Fanshaw.

I underlined the 'e' in Fanshawe to highlight the difference between the two characters

Ah yes Mrs Fanshawe!!

Not to be confused with Martin Fowler or the MaIn Forum!!!

Babs is just the one Mrs F I automatically think of when I see words "Mrs Fanshawe", as I remember Ken's anguished cry "Mrs FAN-shawe!" when he realised she'd snuffed it.

I don't remember Alison King's first appearance from when it happened, only know her Mrs Fanshaw from clips. But clearly she's an iconic "lost character" of Corrie!

Thank you-i am so glad you have posted this thread. Nobody ever believed me when i told them about Alison King playing another CS role, and i couldn't find a clip 😀

I can't take any more of that fag ash breath voice.

What the hell is a 'silky secret'???

A delightfully smooth and tasty appetiser for the Fanshaw banquet that awaits the hunky builders of Weatherfield

ITV confirms new Corrie deal for Alison King

Alison King, who famously played Mrs Fanshaw in Coronation Street, has signed an exclusive deal to reprise her iconic role in the ITV soap.

An ITV spokesperson said: "Having left a lasting impression on Weatherfield, ITV are delighted to announce that Alison King will be bringing back the iconic Mrs Fanshaw to the cobbles.

"Mrs Fanshaw will set hearts racing with her infamous 'silky secrets' and her unforgettable red dressing gown."

King is reportedly "humbled" by her new contract and the renewed commitment from ITV. A source close to King added: "Ali has been saddened by reports in the media that her career had stalled since leaving her role as Carla Connor. She hopes that the return of the formidable Mrs Fanshaw will secure her place in the hearts of the nation for generations to come."

Coronation Street Producer Kate Oates told Digital Spy: "Mrs Fanshaw left a lot of unfinished business after her infamous appearance in 2004 and there are still many stories to be told. Mrs Fanshaw's shock return to Coronation Street will be explosive, with many twists along the way to keep viewers hooked."

Her return to the cobbles later this autumn will reportedly centre around one of the biggest stunts ever to have appeared on British soap.

Brilliant KK! I'm already feeling quite optimistic about Oates but this would really prove she is capable.

Her being at the centre of a stunt could be interesting, will it be a "never done before" one

Oates is making all the right moves, let's just hope that she manages to deliver. I've been hoping for a Mrs Fanshaw return for years. Hopefully spoilers will be released soon which might give some more clues about the stunt. I definitely think it will be 'never done before', something completely new and ground-breaking.

I imagine there will be some "shock twists and turns" and "viewers will be gripped to the screen". I wonder if it has anything to do with Mrs F rubbing Phelan up the wrong way with the whole Lithuanian Builder in the back room business? After all he has been rumoured to be getting nastier!