Fans of Coronation Street believe Amber Kalirai is set to make a shock return to the ITV soap, almost 15 years after her last appearance. The speculation comes after Alya Nazir (Sair Khan) decided to sell her share of the Speed Daal restaurant, leaving Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) surprised.
Fans want Amber back
Viewers have taken to Facebook to suggest that Amber, the daughter of shopkeeper Dev Alahan (Jimmi Harkishin), should return and buy Alya's share of the business. One fan wrote: "Wouldn't it be interesting if the new co owner of speed daal was Devs daughter Amber," while another said: "Be good to see her back, she is never mentioned."
A third commented: "Great little actress. I would love to see her back in Corrie!" and a fourth added: "Loved her-underrated character-stood up to Dev." A fifth simply demanded: "Bring Amber back!"
Amber's history on the cobbles
Amber was played by actress Nikki Patel, 36, who first appeared on Coronation Street in 2005 and stayed for four years. She made a brief comeback in summer 2011, remaining for just under a year before leaving in March 2012. During her final months, she became friends with Rosie Webster (Helen Flanagan) and Sophie Webster (Brooke Vincent), who developed unrequited feelings for her.
Unable to mend her difficult relationship with stepmother Sunita Alahan (Shobna Gulati), Amber took a job in London and has not been seen since. When Sunita was killed in the Rovers Return fire in 2013, Amber was informed but could not attend the funeral as she was travelling with her new boyfriend.
Nikki Patel's career since Corrie
Away from Coronation Street, Nikki has appeared in Waterloo Road, Holy City and Call The Midwife, as well as numerous plays. Earlier this year, she announced she had written a new BBC sitcom titled The Patels, which, if commissioned, will focus on two Gujarati women who must put their differences aside for the sake of their sons.
Speaking to Female Pilot Club, she explained: "There are some heavy issues that they're talking about but they do it in such an accessible, beautiful way, with a normalised family, which could be difficult. And that's kind of presented in a dramatic setting." She added: "I just want to be part of a conversation with that community, potentially help people, [because] there are families going through this right now now where the kids are afraid to be and show who they really are."
