Coronation Street fans are convinced that a former villain is set to make a comeback to the cobbles – and it’s not looking good for Dev Alahan who is soon to get married

A notorious Coronation Street baddie could be making an unexpected comeback, according to fans – and it doesn’t bode well for Dev Alahan.

Dev (Jimmi Harkishin) has been a mainstay on the soap since his first appearance in 1999. As the much-loved Weatherfield businessman, Dev has won over many fans. In addition to being part of several major storylines, Dev has also had his fair share of failed romances – including his marriage to Sunita (Shobna Gulati).

Recently on the cobbles, he and girlfriend Bernie Winter (Jane Hazlegrove) – who Dev has been seeing for a few years – took their relationship to the next level and got engaged. However, viewers are now speculating that a former cobbles villain is about to return and cause havoc for Dev – leaving him stunned.

Back in 2003, Maya Sharma (Sasha Behar) first appeared as Dec’s lover. Things escalated quickly for the couple as Maya’s jealousy and paranoia played out on screen.

Dev is set to get married to Bernie

But when Dev began getting close to ex-wife and mother of his child Sunita, all hell broke loose. Particularly when Dev eventually ditched Maya to rekindle his romance with Sunita, reports Lancs Live.

Enraged, Maya stopped at nothing to exact her revenge. In one of the soap’s most memorable scenes, in 2004, Maya tied Dev and Sunita up in the flat above their shop. In an attempt to kill them, she caused a gas explosion. However, her plan was thwarted as she tried to make her getaway.

Fans are predicting a Maya return

In a dramatic turn of events, a lorry smashed into her van as she tried to escape. Miraculously, Dev and Sunita made it out alive – with Maya ending up in intensive care at the hospital.

After a stint in the medical facility, it emerged that Maya had been thrown behind bars to await her trial. Since then, there’s been nary a whisper about Maya.

Maya’s exit aired over 20 years ago(Image: ITV)

But now, more than two decades later, fans are buzzing with speculation that Maya might make a sensational return following the announcement of Dev and Bernie’s engagement. “Manifesting a Mad Maya return for Dev and Bernie’s wedding. It’s time she came back to finish what she started,” one viewer posted on X.

Another chimed in: “Bring Mad Maya back for Dev’s wedding please.” And on a Corrie Facebook fan group, another added: “Maya needs to come back for Dev’s wedding!”

Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX