Becky Swain’s recent return from the dead on Coronation Street has left more than a few viewers unhappy, especially as she continues to drive a wedge between fan favourite couple Lisa Swain and Carla Connor. But it wasn’t just die-hard Swarla fans who were annoyed by the “contentious” copper’s arrival on the cobbles.

Appearing on the Stateside Street podcast, Corrie writer Jen McVerry revealed that she was “so angry about” Becky’s return when it was first pitched, describing it as a “grenade”.

She explained how the decision was made, recalling “a lot of arguments” as it was “really contentious around the [writers’] table.”

“I can’t even remember how long ago it was. It was just kind of tossed in there like a hand grenade. I can’t even remember who it was. It might even have been said as a really jokey thing.”

The writer shared that the idea was “initially kind of laughed off” because they had worked hard “to establish how genuine it was”. She added that she was “really against the idea” and “so angry about it.”

“I was saying, ‘we can’t do that, we’ll totally break faith with the viewers and it totally undermines all that we’ve suffered alongside Lisa and we’ve believed her grief’, and also I thought it made the police look very corrupt or some of them stupid.”

She added: “I was worried. There were lots of story points that I felt were like holes in the story. We couldn’t possibly do it. It was ridiculous and outrageous.”

Ultimately, Becky’s rise from the dead did take place, shocking both her family and viewers, who were distraught at the idea of losing their favourite on-screen couple Lisa and Carla.

McVerry revealed that she had a heavy part in the return storyline, alongside fellow writer Ella Greenhill, as they tried to make the “uncomfortable” story work.

“We thought we kinda hate the story but if we’re gonna do it, how do we make it the very best version of the story we can and solve some of these issues? So in the end, Ella and I became the people to write Becky’s return from the grave.

“I think because we’d been so vociferous in conference, but then come back with pitches that we thought could make it work if we were gonna do it.”

She concluded: “I know people have hated it and people have loved it – but at least it’s got people talking!”