Emmerdale actress Glenda McKay, who played Joe Tate’s (played by Ned Porteous) mother, Rachel Hughes, on the ITV soap, is said to be returning to acting. Glenda portrayed Rachel for 11 years, between 1988 and 1999, having joined the soap when she was 17 years old alongside her real-life brother Craig McKay, who played Mark Hughes.

However, Glenda stepped away from the spotlight shortly after leaving the Yorkshire-based programme following an explosive exit storyline where her character was killed off as part of a harrowing domestic abuse plot. Longtime fans will recall Rachel was pushed off a cliff by her partner, Graham Clark (Kevin Pallister), after he admitted to murdering his previous wife.

Glenda said at the time: “I’ve been at Emmerdale for 11 years, so it is a big change, but there comes a time when you have to go. I have other strings to my bow, and now seems like the right time to put them to the test.”

After stepping back from acting to pursue a career as a teacher, Glenda returned to the Emmerdale set more than a decade later as a visitor during a school trip.

Her class met some former co-stars, such as Eric Pollard actor Chris Chittell.

Glenda told the Ilkley Gazette: “The children were delighted to meet Chris Chittell, who answered all their questions about what it is like to be famous and what is involved in being a soap actor.”

The actress is reportedly returning to soap operas 26 years after her character was murdered. According to The Sun, she’ll star in ITV’s sister soap, Coronation Street.

A source told the publication: “Glenda is making an acting comeback 13 years after she was last on TV – she’ll be playing a social worker called Alison Hale who deals with Tim and Sally.

“Just as she arrives to tell them they’re set to foster the Michealis children, a shocking incident happens that throws everything into chaos.”

Express.co.uk has contacted Coronation Street bosses for further comment.

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV and ITVX, while Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm.