Coronation Street fans have reacted with excitement to the confirmation that Owen Armstrong will return to the cobbles in 2027, but many are also calling for another popular character to make a comeback. The role of Owen is being reprised by actor Ian Puleston-Davies after an 11-year absence, and viewers are already speculating about what his return will mean for current storylines.
Owen Armstrong's History on the Cobbles
Owen Armstrong was a property landlord in Weatherfield who originally moved to the area to reconcile with his two daughters, Izzy, played by Cherylee Houston, and Katy, played by Georgia May Foote. He later took on Izzy's then-boyfriend Gary Windass, played by Mike North, as his protégé and began a relationship with Gary's mother, Anna Windass, played by Debbie Rush. The two families eventually began living together.
Owen's time on the street ended when he went bankrupt following business dealings with his old acquaintance Pat Phelan, played by Connor McIntyre.
Why Is Owen Returning?
Coronation Street confirmed Owen's return in an Instagram post, which detailed the current situation on the cobbles. The post read: "Well, well, well... look who it is. Gary Windass may be facing months behind bars for helping Sarah Platt cover up Theo’s murder, but that might feel like the safest place to be when he discovers who is back in town."
The post continued: "Almost 11 years after leaving Weatherfield, Owen Armstrong is returning to the cobbles, and he is less than impressed with the actions of his daughter’s former partner. Actor Ian Puleston-Davies will be back on screen in January, and he starts filming Owen’s dramatic return next week."
Fan Reactions and Calls for Anna Windass
Other cast members, including Maria, played by Samia Longchambon, expressed excitement about the return, posting clapping emojis and describing it as "major". One fan wrote: "I mentioned his name only last week! Good to see he’s back!"
However, many viewers made the same demand for another character to return as well, saying they needed to "bring back Anna [Windass] now". Others echoed the sentiment, with one fan adding: "This is something we never knew we needed. He was a really underrated character, and he’s an incredible actor."
