Coronation Street spoilers follow.
Coronation Street boss Iain MacLeod has teased a blast from the past for Rita Tanner as she becomes entwined in Leanne Battersby's big new storyline.
Leanne is continuing to grieve over the death of her son Oliver, but she'll soon be faced with a new dilemma as her other son Simon gets himself into trouble.
Speaking to Digital Spy and other media, MacLeod has now teased that this new storyline will draw in Rita, reuniting her with a familiar face.
"The thing that's exciting me the most is the Leanne story, which I know I've been a bit vague about," he said. "I think it's incredibly exciting. It will also draw in Rita at a certain point – and there'll be a blast from the past for Rita that emerges as a result of the story.
"I really think this story will end up in the place where you least expect it when you start watching it in the New Year."
What to Read Next
Related: Corrie confirms emotional prison plot for Johnny Connor
Explaining how the soap will explore Leanne and Simon's grief in the upcoming plot, MacLeod added: "What we're trying to do with Simon and Leanne is find a way to play their grief that doesn't feel like grief stories that we've done and other shows might have done.
"We've come up with something that starts quite small, but ends up turning into this colossal, thriller-ish, high-octane piece that will play out in the first six months of next year.
"We were quite keen to use Leanne's grief as a launch-pad into something exciting. I think we've achieved that, without feeling like we're doing a disservice to the Oliver story."
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on ITV.
The Cruse Bereavement Care Freephone National Helpline is staffed by trained bereavement volunteers, who offer emotional support to anyone affected by bereavement.
The helpline, 0808 808 1677, is open Monday-Friday at 9.30am-5pm (excluding bank holidays), with extended hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, when it is open until 8pm. You can also email helpline@cruse.org.uk.
Cruse Scotland can be reached on 0845 600 2227 or support@crusescotland.org.uk.
Digital Spy now has a newsletter – sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox.
Read more Coronation Street spoilers on our dedicated homepage
Coronation Street X Joanie - Gilroy Retro Newton And Ridley Sweatshirt
![The Road to Coronation Street [DVD]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1568634215-51d4CaKIrCL.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "The Road to Coronation Street [DVD]")
![The Stars of Coronation Street - 50 Years, 50 Classic Characters [DVD]](https://hips.hearstapps.com/vader-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/1568634418-51we2BNTW1yL.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=980:* "The Stars of Coronation Street - 50 Years, 50 Classic Characters [DVD]")
ITV The Stars of Coronation Street - 50 Years, 50 Classic Characters [DVD]
Want up-to-the-minute soaps news, spoilers and gossip on your social feeds? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Soaps Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @soapscoop Twitter account.
