Coronation Street actor returns to soap for a THIRD time

ving featured in the Weatherfield-based series in 1978 and 1993, the thespian has pitched up on set once again to play charmer Henry Wilkins, who has his heart set on hairdresser Audrey (Sue Nicholls).

He's back! Actor Russell Dixon has returned to Coronation Street for a third time, playing Audrey Roberts' new love interest Henry Wilkins

Back on the cobbles: Russell made his most recent Corrie comeback in December

However, the casting certainly didn't go unnoticed by eagle-eyed viewers of the ITV1 soap, who pointed out that Audrey 'despised' one of his previous incarnations on the Street.

Russell first touched down in Weatherfield back in 1979 when he played Dave Barnes for a year - turning up to warn Ken Barlow (Bill Roache) to stop teaching his wife
The actor later returned as corrupt councillor Harry Potts from 1992 to 1995.
Seeing as Harry was responsible for conning Audrey's then-husband, Mayor Alf Roberts - who was played by the late Bryan Mosley - it is unlikely the pensioner would have welcomed him back with open arms.

Eagle eyes: Corrie viewers were quick to point out that Dixon had appeared in the ITV1 soap on two separate occasions 

Furthermore, the actor played Ena Sharples in the stage version of Corrie's 1968 plays at The Lass o'Gowrie in Manchester in January 2012.
Corrie viewers took to a number of online message boards to point out the fact that Russell is by no means a stranger to the cobbles.
One wrote: 'What am I missing? Harry Potts was a corrupt councillor who had a run in with Audrey Roberts. Audrey would not now go out with him so they had to give the actor another identity, surely?'

Corrie debut: Russell first touched down in Weatherfield back in 1979 when he played Dave Barnes for a year

Another added: 'I think a question has already been asked of why do they keep using the same actors for different characters when there must be thousands that would jump at a part in Corrie.'
'Looks like Harry the councillor has been brought back as Henry the councillor and we're not supposed to notice,' another soap viewer exclaimed.
Audrey's romance with Henry comes after her relationship with smooth-talking Lewis Archer - played by Nigel Havers - recently came to an end after he made a move on her daughter Gail (Helen Worth).

Corrupt: The actor returned to the cobbles in 1992 as councillor Harry Potts, a character who, ironically, Audrey 'despised'

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