Beats heart attack to make his Corrie return

SECRET VISIT TO STUDIOS

VETERAN Malcolm Hebden is coming back to Corrie after recovering from a major heart attack.

The 78-year-old was struck down last year and spent three weeks in an induced coma after having life-saving surgery.

But popular Malcolm, who has played shopkeeper Norris Cole for 25 years, visited Coronation’s Street’s ITV Studios in Manchester two weeks ago to discuss his screen return.

He suffered a “silent” heart attack which had none of the typical warning signs.

It effectively tore his heart, splitting a hole in the left ventricle, and it was unclear whether he would survive.

But one cast member who saw Malcolm on his return to the studios said: “I was so pleasantly surprised to see him. It has been a long battle back to fitness but he looks better than I could have imagined.

“He looks really well. It is going to be great to have him back. The show has missed him and we’ve missed him.”

It is believed discussions took place with producers to ensure his return will be done bit by bit.

A source said: “Malcolm’s health is the most important thing and the bosses are very aware of that. They are really looking after him.”

The screen legend was treated at Lancashire Cardiac Centre in Blackpool last December. After his operation Malcolm was put in a coma before being moved to Blackburn for rehabilitation. In July he said: “Fortunately I didn’t realise how bad it was – I was dying.”

To repair the damage his heart was “wallpapered” using tissue from a cow.

Malcolm was transferred to the Royal Blackburn Hospital still in a coma and was discharged in late February after almost three months.

He first appeared as Norris in 1994 but had a break between 1997 and 1999.