It comes after the ITV soap confirmed that it’s cast two “chaotic and loud” nightmare neighbour characters

Coronation Street fans found themselves doing a ‘double take’ as they thought a much-loved character had been ‘brought back from the dead’.

This week, the ITV soap confirmed that it’s cast two “chaotic and loud” nightmare neighbour characters, and their arrival will be part of a first for the show. Mick and Lou Michaelis will move into Mawdsley Street at the back of Chesney and Gemma Winter-Brown’s house.

It means that for the first time ever, Corrie has extended the serial drama across the ginnel to give the new family somewhere to live in Weatherfield.

While Lou and Gemma – who is played by Dolly-Rose Campbell – will initially strike up a friendship, the colourful character is to bring some “chaos” to the cobbles. Lou, played by Farrel Hegarty, will appear for the first time on February 12th, and she and Gemma have an instant bond because their kids go to Bessie Street School.

However, Mick, played by Joe Layton, will rock up on February 14 and Corrie viewers will be stunned to discover he is the man in the silver van who has been harassing Chesney (Sam Aston), who is none the wiser.

But as the first look at the new couple to hit the cobbles was released, some couldn’t help but think Mick actor Joe bore a resemblance to Peter Ash, who fans miss playing Paul Foreman in Corrie following the character’s heartbreaking death last year.

@longs_driving_school_ said: “He’s Paul’s double.” @hera_cadd commented: “I thought it was paul at first! these seem like a good fit. we need some old school bickering rather than these big emotional storylines right now.” @doddsy9 wrote: “I thought it was Paul there for a minute!”

@KarlRedman13 joked: “ya can’t fool us #Corrie sneaking Paul back in to play another character & Shona doing two role’s….poor lass will be knackered.” @RyanTheSoapking added: “Mick looks like Paul’s older brother #Corrie.”