Coronation Street actor Martin Hancock played the loveable Spider Nugent for four years until his exit in 2003, but the former soap star hasn’t ruled out a comeback

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Coronation Street: Martin Hancock stars as Spider in 1999

Geoffrey ‘Spider’ Nugent was once upon a time a household name and a fan favourite among Coronation Street fans.

The eccentric character stole the hearts of the nation with his quirky outlook on life, his electric dress sense, his eco-warrior mindset and his unlikely romance with Toyah Battersby.

However, fans bid farewell to loveable Spider in 2003 when the actor who played him – Martin Hancock – left the ITV soap.

Since then, avid Coronation Street fans have been left pondering whatever became of the actor who brought Spider’s character to life on screen.

Martin, now 48, decided that his time on the soap was up after playing out the trials and tribulations of Spider’s life for four years.

At the time, the actor revealed that he chose to leave his acting role over fears his character had run his course on the cobbles.

Since then, Martin has continued to grace both the screen and the stage with his acting skills.

The former soap star, who lives in London with his long-term partner, landed a starring role Steve Coogan’s 24 Hour Party People after his Corrie exit, and he also bagged a lead part Ridley Scott’s Kingdom Of Heaven.

Martin went on to prove that his acting skills reached far beyond soaps when he starred alongside Daniel Craig in Defiance in 2008.

While he has appeared in several drama shows and movies since his time in Corrie, Martin did eventually move back into the world of soaps.

The former Coronation Street star has appeared in Holby City, Casualty and Doctors, and he has also played the part of Redlip in cult drama Demons.

In his most recent role – which aired last year – Martin starred in In the Long Run – with Idris Elba, Bill Bailey and Jimmy Akingbola.

Although he exited Coronation Street over 18-years ago now, Martin still hasn’t ruled out a comeback just yet.

His character Spider is believed to be in Peru on a charity mission, and he can always make a return should producers ever want him back.

Opening up about a possible return to where it all started on the cobbles, Martin previously told Daily Express that he would definitely consider reprising his former role.

“As to the future, well, I may go back to Coronation Street one day. Who knows when Spider Nugent might return,” Martin revealed.