Coronation Street killer Richard Hillman is to

follow in the footsteps of EastEnders villain Dirty Den by coming back from the dead.

Corrie bosses are hoping to cast serious doubt on whether the villainous conman, played by Hove actor Brian Capron, actually drowned when he drove into a canal with wife Gail and her two children, Sarah and David, held hostage.

Soap insiders say he will make a dramatic return to the Street, despite last being seen in a body bag.

Brian, 57, last night fuelled speculation that his comeback was imminent when he refused to deny he was being written back into the show.

An audience of 20 million watched as evil Richard careered into the canal in a bid to kill his family.

He was presumed to have perished and his body was even recovered.

But in recent weeks the Platt family have received greeting cards supposedly signed by the killer.

Taxi driver Les Battersby, played by Bruce Jones, fuels the nightmare when he tells residents he has just given Richard a lift in his cab.

He warns: "Everyone had better keep their doors and windows locked ... Richard Hillman is back."

In April viewers will be gripped when Gail receives a birthday card which reads: "Happy Birthday dearest Gail. Looking forward to seeing you all very, very soon. Love Richard."

Brian, who runs an events company from home, said: "I've had people ringing me about it all day but I can't say anything.

"It's a complete no comment I'm afraid."

A Corrie source said: "There were record audiences of 20 million when Tricky Dicky was at his murderous best.

"Now with this incredible twist we're banking on a winner.

"All Weatherfield begins to think he's back."

Richard first appeared in 2002 when he romanced Gail and squandered her life savings.

He left business partner Duggie Ferguson to die after he fell down the stairs and tried to burn Gail's mum, Audrey, to death.

He buried ex-wife Patricia in the foundations of a block of flats he was building and, shortly after marrying Gail, he tried to smother pensioner Emily Bishop as she slept on the sofa.

When he was caught in this evil act by hairdresser Maxine Peacock, played by Tracy Shaw, he bludgeoned her to death.

Brian picked up a Best Actor award and was named Villain of the Year at the 2003 Soap Awards.

He has also appeared in Where The Heart Is, Taggart, Birds Of A Feather and Grange Hill.