Coronation Street fans were gutted as a former character returned for Jim McDonald’s funeral – with a frustrating twist.

The former Weatherfield resident died off-screen, with son Steve (Simon Gregson) paying his final respects this week.

Joining him for support were daughter Amy (Elle Mulvaney), Tim Metcalfe (Joe Duttine) and Ben Driscoll (Aaron McCusker), to name a few.

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While toasting to Jim’s memory in the Rovers, it transpired a past Weatherfield regular also attended.

Amy asked her dad: ‘Who was the one in the ridiculous coat?’

To which Steve replied: ‘Oh, Samantha Failsworth. She was younger than me.’

Coronation Street bid farewell to Jim McDonald this week - and past Weatherfield resident was revealed to have attended his funeral
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Coronation Street bid farewell to Jim McDonald this week – and past Weatherfield resident was revealed to have attended his funeral

Tina Hobley played Rovers Return barmaid Samantha Failsworth from 1996 until leaving Weatherfield in 1998
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Tina Hobley played Rovers Return barmaid Samantha Failsworth from 1996 until leaving Weatherfield in 1998

When asked if Samantha and Jim had gone out, he continued: ‘They were just friends but if he had his way they’d have been more.’

Long-term viewers will recall Samantha was a Rovers Return barmaid during the 1990s.

Actress Tina Hobley played the role for over 200 episodes between 1996 until her departure in 1998.

With fans having long-wanted a comeback, having Samantha being mentioned but not seen left them disappointed.

One wrote: ‘Got excited at the mention of my first #Corrie crush in today’s episode. Oh Sam!’

Another added: ‘Samantha Failsworth coming back to Weatherfield for Jim’s funeral and i didn’t get to see it… i could cry.

‘Tina Hobley let’s take a break from radio for just one day and get back on those cobbles pls x.’

Samantha’s chaotic time on the cobbles saw her romance Des Barnes (Philip Middlemiss).

After their split, she became jealous of Des’ new relationship with Natalie Horrocks (Denise Welch), which saw her falsely claim to be pregnant with his baby.

Jim and Samantha were described by Steve as 'friends' and are seen here having dinner together on the ITV soap during the 1990s
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Jim and Samantha were described by Steve as ‘friends’ and are seen here having dinner together on the ITV soap during the 1990s

She ultimately left Weatherfield for good after her lies were uncovered.

After Coronation Street, actress Tina went on to play Chrissie Williams in Holby City from 2001 to 2013.

As well as this, she has also become a radio presenter with Smooth Radio.

In 2020, Tina addressed whether there was any possibility of a return to the ITV soap.

She told The Express: ‘I think with those iconic shows you must always consider, it’s such a privilege to be part of those big ongoing companies so I would always consider it.

‘It was such an honour to be part of it, so of course, if ever the character came back.’

She continued: ‘I don’t know what happened to her, I can’t actually remember what happened to her and I haven’t really watched it over the last two years so I have no idea what’s going on but, yes, as an actor you always have to say yes.

‘My thing is say yes to everything, I think life is so short to put barriers up and say no – I won’t do that. My answer would always be, ‘Yes of course, why not?

Coronation Street airs on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.