The "worst villain" Coronation Street has ever produced will be making a return to the show this summer after being released from prison.

Nathan Curtis, played by Christopher Harper, will return in a new storyline involving his former victim Bethany Platt, played by Lucy Fallon.

After plying her with drugs and alcohol, Nathan abused her in harrowing scenes in 2017.

After being raped by him and his gang, Bethany attempted to escape as Nathan tried to sell her into sex work abroad.

In upcoming scenes, a terrified Bethanu will discover that Nathan has been released from prison.

Coronation Street's 'worst villain' Nathan Curtis to make return to soap this summer

A source close to Coronation Street told The Sun: “Nathan’s easily the worst villain Corrie’s ever produced.

“The grooming storyline was one of the soap’s most important. The hope is that revisiting it will boost the show.

“It’s a risk but it’s one that producers hope will pay off.”

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This comes after ITV bosses announced plans for a controversial storyline involving Toyah Battersby.

Toyah, played by Georgia Taylor, will discover that the land where her stillborn baby from a rape in 2001 is buried is due to be dug up.

46-year-old Christopher Harper has starred in a number of other programmes such as the time-travel detective series Life On Mars, Upstairs Downstairs and season 12 of Call The Midwife.

Coronation Street airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday on ITV1, STV and ITVX.