Goodyear swept back onto the set wearing a trademark outfit - an animal print coat with stilettos, umbrella and plastic bag.

Comedy was one of the Street's strengths and they obviously felt that I could be a part of helping to bring that back

Julie Goodyear

She completed the ensemble with a golden anklet, diamante earrings and leopard print nail varnish.

Ms Goodyear, who quit the soap after playing the same role for 25 years, said she had decided to return for a 12-month stint because the producer was "very persuasive".

"I can tell you for a fact it wasn't the bloody money," she said.

"When you compare it to Dallas, Dynasty or footballers' wages, it's not much.

"I never asked to come back, I would never, ever, have asked for the job back, but the producer is very, very persuasive."

Comedy

Goodyear said she will feature in all of the first five episodes after her shock return on 10 June.

"I think, and I'm sure viewers would agree, comedy was one of the Street's strengths and they obviously felt that I could be a part of helping to bring that back.

The true motives behind Bet's comeback remain a mystery

"I am not saying that drama is not essential, but the Street has always had that lovely dry Northern sense of humour."

Goodyear said it would be a mistake for Coronation Street to try and copy the dramatic tone of rival EastEnders.

"If they did do that, then of course that was a grave error of judgment," she said. "EastEnders is so very good at that, it has virtually cornered the market."

Despite her seven-year absence, Bet returns to the Street virtually unchanged.

Ms Goodyear said she was pleased the barmaid had kept her outrageous style.

She said: "I think leopard has always been part of the character since the early 70s so I think it would have been silly really to take that away."

Bet is ostensibly returning to the Street to attend Betty Williams's retirement party

But producers refuse to answer questions about the true reason for her comeback.

A spokeswoman for the show said: "The viewers want to watch it unfold and we don't want to spoil it for them."