QASIM AKHTAR RETURNS TO CORONATION STREET AS ZEEDAN

There’s a surprise and trouble in store for Yasmeen Nazir next month when grandson Zeedan returns to the cobbles after a three year absence.

Zeedan arrives in Weatherfield for his grandma’s birthday and is shocked to discover that the business is in serious financial trouble after his sister Alya fell for a bank scam. Alya is desperate to keep the truth from Yasmeen, but is suspicious when Zeedan offers to bail her out.

And when two thugs attack him in the street she can't help but wonder if the beating has something to do with his new found wealth.

Qasim Akhtar said: “I’m excited to be back and getting stuck into an explosive storyline that I feel the viewers are going to love. Zeedan’s found himself in trouble yet again and I hope everyone tunes in to see madness unfold! Watch this space…”

Coronation Street Producer Iain MacLeod said: “Qasim is a fantastic actor and Zeedan is a character with tonnes of connections in the show, so I’m really excited to bring him back in what will be a really juicy story for the Nazirs. Zeedan has made some mistakes while he’s been off screen but he’s determined to be a better man. However, the path to redemption is strewn with pitfalls and Alya and Yasmeen end up getting sucked into the trouble that follows him to Weatherfield from his old life, threatening what promises to be Yasmeen’s fairytale ending, after her ordeal at the hands of Geoff.”

Qasim is back filming his return episodes and Zeedan will arrive back on the cobbles in mid September.