Owen Armstrong Set for Return to Coronation Street After Decade-Long Absence

Coronation Street favourite Owen Armstrong is set to return to the soap, over a decade after his departure in 2015. Actor Ian Puleston-Davies, who first joined the program in 2010, will begin filming his comeback next week, with his character expected to make an appearance in January.

Armstrong originally joined Coronation Street with the intention of reconciling with his daughters, Izzy and Katy. During his initial tenure, he employed Izzy's boyfriend Gary Windass and began a relationship with Anna, Gary's mother. After five years, Owen left Weatherfield when his relationship with Anna ended and his business faced collapse, partly due to character Pat Phelan. He subsequently moved to Portugal before settling in Scotland.

Owen's return is expected to create immediate tension, particularly with Gary Windass, who is currently facing legal trouble. Unhappy with Gary's past actions, Owen intends to support Izzy and his grandson Jake, asserting his belief that Gary is responsible for their family's misfortunes. Owen's decision to move back in with them signals a potential conflict and raises questions about the future of Gary's business.

Since leaving Coronation Street, Puleston-Davies has pursued roles in various dramas, directed feature films, and continued his writing career. Reflecting on his return, Puleston-Davies stated, "I can't wait to pick up where I left off ten years ago! It's brilliant to be back and to get stuck into a cracking storyline. Owen's back and he's still angry!"

Coronation Street producer Kate Brooks expressed enthusiasm for the actor's return, noting, "We're thrilled that Ian is back, and Owen brings a ton of drama. As he joins forces with an unlikely alliance, he wreaks havoc on the Street, and his relationship with Gary is severely put to the test. Needless to say, there's never a dull moment when Owen's around."

Owen's re-entry comes after a significant storyline involving the death of Theo, which became a major mystery on the show. The investigation into Theo's murder, which occurred after months of abuse directed at his partner Todd Grimshaw, involved several potential suspects. Theo's body was discovered in the backyard of the corner shop during an episode that featured a flash-forward. Viewers later learned that Gary Windass had assisted Sarah Platt in covering up the death, which resulted from Sarah hitting Theo with scaffolding, causing him to fall to his death.