The former model scooped the 1997 NTA for Most Popular Newcomer.

A FORMER Coronation Street star has teased his show comeback 26 years after quitting the iconic soap.

His words come just months after he took a brutal swipe at ITV show bosses for “never asking me back.”

Actor Matthew Marsden, 51, found fame with telly fans for his role as mechanic Chris Collins back in 1997.

He worked alongside Kevin Webster, played by Michael Le Vell, for a 12-month stint.

During his time on the Cobbles the former model – who had also starred in Emmerdale – scooped the 1997 NTA for Most Popular Newcomer.

Now he has told of his desire to return – claiming his character “didn’t have proper closure.”

He told The Mirror: “I love Coronation Street. I was in it for a year.

“It was one of the greatest times of my life.

“I loved living in Manchester. We had an amazing cast.”

Chris, who moved to Stateside and gained US citizenship after his soap exit, added: “I was very fortunate to be a part of that show.

“I feel like Chris Collins didn’t really have proper closure.

“That was my real first big job.

“So it’ll always have a special place in my heart.”

His plotlines saw him have affairs with Sally Webster along with Samantha Failsworth and Angie Freeman.

Yet, with his character’s location unknown, there could be scope for a return.

SOAP SNUB

Yet Chris might have to get Coronation Street bosses back onside first.

The actor raised eyebrows back in January when he hit out at show bosses.

He replied to a fan on X – who was criticising a plotline – and confessed: “I haven’t seen it [Corrie] since I left in 1998.

“They have never asked me back. I wonder why?”

One soap fan then bluntly replied: “Terrible actor! I did see you in Black Hawk Down but that’s it! Never seen you since!”

Another replied: “Cause you were s***e?”

This prompted West Brom born Matthew to hit back and post: “Your missus didn’t think so.”

Yet fans were left unimpressed by his clapback leaving one to quip: “About as good at comedy as you are at acting.”

The star has never been one to shy away from controversial comments.

Back in 2021, he was slammed for telling fans “stop getting tested for Covid.”

CORRIE ON

Following his Corrie exit in 1998, Matthew went on to follow a pop career.

He then became a big time movie star, with roles in Black Hawn Down, Helen Of Troy, Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen and Atlas Shrugged to name a few.