Les Dennis’ wife came up with the idea that Pat Phelan and Michael Rodwell should reunite in pantomime this year.
The 64-year-old star – who played Michael in ‘Corrie’ – will appear opposite Connor McIntyre (Phelan) in ‘Cinderella’ later this year after the former ‘Family Fortunes’ host’s significant other Claire Nicholson thought it would be great to reunite the pair on the stage.
Les said: "My wife, Claire, said, ‘What about if Phelan and Michael were reunited as Ugly Sisters?’ And I said, ‘That’s a genius idea.’
"So I pitched it to the producers and they loved the idea, so we are going to be Phelina and Michaela reunited as Ugly Sisters at The Opera House in Manchester."
And serial killer Phelan – who left Michael to die in the soap – could be set to continue his reign of terror, or Michael may even wreak some revenge on the calculated murderer, as Les revealed one of the siblings may do away with the other.
Speaking on ‘Lorraine’, he added: "It will definitely be a question of ‘she’s behind you,’ more than any other time.
"I’ve got this idea that one sister wants to kill the other one to get the prince, so we’re going to have a lot of fun.
"And we’ve got Gareth Gates with us as well."
Connor bowed out of the soap earlier this year when Phelan was finally killed off after running riot on the cobbles, and the 57-year-old actor hinted there will be plenty of ‘Corrie’ references in the panto script.
He exclusively told BANG Showbiz "’Cinderella’ with Les is going to be a very nice counterpoint to playing Phelan for two and a half years, on this visit.
"Les is an old friend of mine. There’s stuff we carry over from ‘Corrie’ to there.
"Whether it’s in the script or not I’m fairly sure the audience will bring that anyway.
"He was the first of Phelan’s victims."