Flint actor to return to Coronation Street cobbles after 11 years

Ian Puleston-Davies, who grew up in Flint and is best known for playing builder Owen Armstrong, will reprise the role 11 years after the character's departure from the ITV soap.

ITV has confirmed that Owen will return to Weatherfield in January, with Puleston-Davies beginning filming for his comeback scenes next week.

The character is being brought back as part of an ongoing storyline involving Gary Windass, who has recently been imprisoned for perverting the course of justice.

Furious at the impact Gary's actions have had on his daughter Izzy Armstrong and grandson Jake, Owen makes it clear he blames him for the family's troubles and decides to move back in with them.

Speaking about his return, Ian Puleston-Davies said: "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!"

Owen was last seen on the programme in April 2015 after his relationship with Anna Windass broke down and his building business collapsed. He left Weatherfield for Portugal before eventually settling in Scotland.

Since leaving the soap, Puleston-Davies has appeared in several high-profile television dramas including The Bay, D.I. Ray, The Responder and Silent Witness, while also working as a writer and director.

Coronation Street producer Kate Brooks said she was delighted to welcome the actor back.

She said: "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."

The return marks one of the soap's biggest comeback storylines of the year and is likely to be welcomed by long-time viewers who remember Owen's fiery personality and often turbulent family relationships.