Denise Black barely recognised herself when she watched old episodes of ‘Coronation Street’.
The 59-year-old actress has reprised her role of Denise Osbourne – which she played on and off from 1992 until 2007 – on the show and was amazed at how "hot" she looked during her first stint on the cobbles, which she revisited as part of her preparations for her return.
She admitted: "I had to go back and watch some of my episodes from the ’90s in order to prepare. It was very strange. I could hardly recognise me. I thought, ‘God, I’m hot! What happened?!’ "
Denise’s return to Wetherfield in scenes which aired on Tuesday (30.05.17) stunned both her on-screen son Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) and former flame Ken Barlow (Bill Roache) as it came just after her ex-lover began to suspect their son had killed his mother.
And after not being there for Daniel in his teenage years, the hairdresser wants to get things right now.
Denise told RadioTimes.com: "She is a flawed person. She’s a bit Marmite – you either love her or hate her. But I think she’s really trying to come to terms with the fact that she abandoned her son. She’s going to be desperate to be a good woman and to get it right now."
Romance could also be on the cards as the actress teased there’s still a spark between her alter ego and Ken.
She said: "Well, he’s looking good, isn’t he?! And for Bill to have devoted his whole life to this one show is extraordinary and it brings such a richness because the public has known Ken for ever. And Bill and I do get along well – so watch this space."