BACK behind a bar, soap star Julie Goodyear raises a glass to her return to Coronation Street and her first appearance on the Grand Opera House stage in York.

The newly-reinstated queen of the Rovers Return Inn will start filming the Granada soap once more in May, resuming the role of Bet Lynch after almost seven years away.

Yesterday, Julie was in York to promote her latest stage show, the cult musical La Cage Aux Folles, in which she will be performing at the Grand Opera House from next Tuesday to Saturday.

Julie will be playing restaurateur Jacqueline but, wearing Bet's trademark leopardskin, she was happy to discuss the soap talking point of the moment: her Corrie comeback.

Goodbye French restaurant. Hello again Weatherfield pub. "It's back to the future for me," she said. "It's a tremendous compliment to be invited back by a company you've worked with for 25 years.

"You feel you must have got something right, and I'm a great believer in not slamming doors on places or people. It's always nice to leave with dignity, which I did."

Julie could not reveal any potential story lines for Bet's return to boost Coronation Street's flagging viewing figures, but she did say: "There's unfinished business there for Bet, and I have - and always have had - a tremendous faith and trust in the writers. They've never short-changed Bet."

First, however, she is enjoying focusing on the La Cage Aux Folles tour. "I'm having a ball," she said.

For tickets, ring 01904 671818.

Updated: 08:48 Tuesday, February 05, 2002