Steve Evets has secured a prominent new role on Coronation Street, taking on the part of the long-absent father of sisters Shona Platt and Jodie Ramsey.
Viewers with a keen memory for ITV soaps may recognise Mr Evets from his time on Emmerdale, where he played Tom Shepherd across three episodes in 1998 and 1999.
The actor has also built a substantial television career beyond the Dales, with credits including Shameless and Brassic, as well as Gentleman Jack.
His Coronation Street debut is scheduled for later this month, with sources saying the door is left open for additional appearances down the line.
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Steve Evets has joined the cast of Coronation Street
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Fans had been speculating wildly about who would play the sisters' father, with some theorising it might be Graham Foster from Emmerdale, but that has now been ruled out.
Scenes airing next week will see Shona become increasingly convinced that her sister is keeping secrets from her.
Despite Jodie's attempts to discourage her from investigating their family history, Shona decides to follow her sibling and finds herself at an unexpected destination.
The trail leads to a psychiatric facility, where Shona finally comes face to face with the father she has been searching for.
Fans had been speculating wildly about who would play the sisters' father
|ITV
The encounter proves deeply unsettling, as their dad appears confused and vulnerable, a far cry from whatever image Shona had constructed in her mind.
Jodie then opens up about the heavy burden she has carried throughout her life, explaining how their mother walked out and left her solely responsible for their father's care.
The revelation leaves Shona shaken as she grasps the extent of her sister's struggles.
The confrontation gradually transforms into something more tender as Shona's anger dissipates and understanding takes its place.
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Steve Evets previously appeared in Emmerdale in 1998 and 1999
|ITV
Realising that Jodie has been truthful about their troubled upbringing, Shona finds herself overwhelmed with compassion for what her sister endured alone.
The two women share a poignant moment of connection, with Shona offering reassurance that Jodie no longer has to shoulder these difficulties by herself.
She welcomes her sister fully into the family fold, promising support going forward.
Any lingering doubts Shona harboured about Jodie's motives appear to evaporate in the emotional aftermath of meeting their father.
Yet with raw feelings exposed and years of painful secrets finally brought into the open, questions remain about whether Shona can truly place her faith in her newly found sibling.
Despite this apparent reconciliation, the storyline is set to take a much darker turn as Jodie's true nature begins to emerge.
The drama kicks off when Shona finds herself exhausted from caring for baby Harper and dealing with everyday pressures, losing her temper with Lily over a water bottle.
When David suggests she take some time for herself and Shona mentions visiting their father, Jodie cunningly steers her towards a night out instead.
Steve Evets will be making his Corrie debut
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At the Bistro, Jodie manipulates the situation further, feigning tears after Shona confronts Carl for flirting with her.
Having plied her sister with drinks, Jodie then calls David to carry his intoxicated wife home to bed.
With Shona out of the way, she persuades David to stay up watching a film with her, marking the beginning of a sinister Single White Female-style plot.
As the week progresses, Jodie's behaviour becomes increasingly troubling, with warning signs that suggest her intentions may be far from innocent.
She prepares a cooked breakfast for David and sends him off to work, appearing to settle comfortably into the household routine.
However, once alone in the house, Jodie's mask slips in a chilling moment.
While tidying up, she deliberately destroys the framed wedding photograph of David and Shona, a symbolic act that hints at her deeper agenda.
The unsettling incident raises urgent questions about who is truly at risk from Jodie's machinations.
Whether Shona should fear for her marriage and safety, or whether David ought to be more wary of his sister-in-law's growing presence in their home, remains to be seen.