MILLIONS of viewers will be sitting on the edge of their sofas tonight as arch villain Richard Hillman returns to Coronation Street.

But there is one East Lancashire woman who has had an inside glimpse of the Street's Mr Nasty.

Actress Katrina Sudnik, of the Evergreens, Blackburn, had a walk on part in the top soap and saw the murderous villain warming up for his big role.

But she is sworn to secrecy over one of the most avidly awaited story lines in the Street's history which tonight sees dastardly Richard Hillman return for unsuspecting wife Gail and her children in a special double-bill.

Even scriptwriters are keen to keep the 19million fans gasping with four possible script endings in the pipeline.

"We are not allowed to say anything but it is without a doubt one of the most gripping story lines I have worked on," said Katrina, who only took the plunge to be a part-time actress last year. She was filming on the set in January for some of the heartstopping scenes in February.

"I was asking questions about the story and I saw him in the green room preparing for his scenes.

"But it is really exciting, especially for me because I could get called up and be needed for one of the coming scenes. It has gripped everyone and that is why it is so successful."

The former Pat Eakets dancer had a walk on part during the paternity scandal over Ashley Peacock and his baby son.

Katrina, 20, added: "I was with Keith Duffy out of BoyZone and we had to act all giggly but he was really funny and had all the cast in stitches.

"I saw Vera and she complemented me on my heeled boots because she was walking round in some drab brown wellies! I also had to work with Fiz, Roy and Fred."

Katrina set her sights on the stage life after finishing her associate professional performance and teaching course at Preston Dance Centre.

She has recently opened her own dance school at Green Lane Community Centre for dancers aged four to 15.