Soap fans were thrilled to see Richard Hillman rise from the dead—but the actor nearly said no

The Ghost of Christmas Past Returns to Haunt Gail

In a stunning twist that left Coronation Street fans speechless, Richard Hillman—arguably the soap’s most infamous villain—made a surprise appearance last Christmas. The scene was haunting, nostalgic, and filled with dark humour. But now, actor Brian Capron admits he almost turned the comeback down.

Speaking to The Sun, Capron revealed he was “very dubious” about returning to the cobbles. His reason? Like many actors before him, he feared the curse of the soap comeback.

“I always think it’s fatal to go back,” he said, referencing EastEnders’ infamous Dirty Den resurrection. “So I was gobsmacked and wary—until I read the script.”

From Gail’s Husband to Serial Killer

Richard Hillman first arrived in Weatherfield in 2001 as Gail Platt’s charming new love interest. But what began as a fairytale quickly descended into horror. Richard was no ordinary financial advisor—he was a conman who preyed on the elderly and ultimately turned killer.

His reign of terror ended in 2003 with one of the most unforgettable soap exits of all time: a murder-suicide attempt, where he drove the Platt family into a canal. Gail and the children survived. Richard did not.

Or so we thought.

Gail’s Vision — and the Return of the Weed-Soaked Killer

In 2024, as Helen Worth filmed her emotional exit storyline after 50 years on the show, Coronation Street brought back Richard for one final, ghostly twist. Gail, torn about moving to France with her new husband Jesse Chadwick, fell asleep flipping through a photo album. That’s when Richard appeared—dripping wet, covered in weeds, and just as unsettling as ever.

Capron explained:

“It could’ve been incredibly dodgy. But it had all the right elements—some humour, and also that slightly menacing edge.”

Under the Suit: Freezing for the Final Scene

Capron also shared a behind-the-scenes detail that made the moment even more intense. To achieve Richard’s soggy, post-canal appearance, the production team sprayed him with water all day. Under his suit? A full wetsuit, just to stay warm.

“It was difficult to move in,” he admitted. “But it worked. The water was literally running off me.”

Why This Cameo Worked

Unlike other soap returns that stretch credibility, Richard’s reappearance stayed within the emotional logic of the story. He wasn’t resurrected—he was a vision of guilt and memory, the kind only Coronation Street can pull off with dark charm and depth.

Capron gave credit to the writers, saying they managed to blend the darkness of Richard’s crimes with the dry wit that made him so terrifyingly entertaining to watch.