Return of the love rat

Coronation Street's original love-cheat looks set to return after an absence of 26 years.

11:31 14 June 2004

Coronation Street's original love-cheat looks set to return after an absence of 26 years.

Ray Langton, played by actor Neville Buswell, first came to Corrie in 1966. Once there he embarked on a series of dastardly doings.

Sacked and beaten up by Len Fairclough for stealing and attempted rape, he was imprisoned for two years.

Returning from a two year break in 1968 he got straight back to it, making advances to Elsie Tanner and chasing newly-wed Audry Fleming and breaking up her marriage.

After six months with paralysed legs he moved on to Sandra Butler and from there Deirdre.

Deirdre married Ray in 1975 (the first of three failed marriages for the future ex-Mrs Barlow), but he was having affairs within months.

He stayed long enough to father Tracy before fleeing to Holland in 1978.

And now he's back.

"He was the original bad boy of the Street. He left Deirdre heartbroken after his affair and she hasn't set eyes on him for 26 years," an insider has revealed.

According to the News of the World Street bosses are in talks with Buswell, who reportedly flew to Manchester yesterday, in the hopes of clinching a deal with him this week.

If the rumours are true this return could see all kinds of fur fly with Ken currently back with Deirdre, and Ray's daughter Tracy now with baby.