[2] In April 2015, it was announced that Gascoyne would reprise the role for two episodes for the funeral of Deirdre Barlow (Anne Kirkbride)[3] and Peter returned on 15 July 2015 and left once again the following day.

[4] Peter's storylines have included a number of affairs, alcoholism and a custody battle involving his son Simon Barlow (Alex Bain).

Peter became involved in a bigamy storyline when he married Rovers barmaid Shelley Unwin (Sally Lindsay) and florist Lucy Richards (Katy Carmichael).

He returned briefly in 2007 when his adoptive sister Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Charlie Stubbs (Bill Ward).

Peter was framed for Tina's murder by Rob Donovan (Marc Baylis) and upon his release from prison, his marriage to Carla broke down and he left Weatherfield.

When he returned in 2016, it was revealed he had begun a relationship with Toyah Battersby (Georgia Taylor), which they agreed to keep secret from a pregnant Leanne, in order to not affect her pregnancy.

However, a woman named Christina (Sarah-Jayne Steed) arrives and claims that she met Peter on her father's yacht recently and decided to visit him.

They had the blessing, where Peter found out about Nick, and then her mother turned up and they argued over that, then she got pregnant and had about half an episode of happiness, and then she lost her baby.

And in the middle of all this, Carla's been hovering in the wings..."[12] It was announced in September 2010 that Peter's father, Ken, will catch Leanne in bed with Nick.

"[1] During the storyline he described his character as being seen as a coward,[1] adding, "He has the potential to be a very good dad but at the minute he feels like everything is conspiring against him and he hasn’t got the confidence or the self-esteem to cope."

[15] It was reported that the pair apparently grow closer as Peter helps Carla overcome her boozing and comes to her aid when she is arrested for drink driving.

Alison King later told Inside Soap that she wants Carla's friendship with Peter to develop even further as he helps her to battle an alcohol addiction.

"[17] It was announced in September 2013 that Peter would begin an affair with Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan) following his marriage to Carla Connor (Alison King), and will go on until her exit in the summer of 2014.

[1] Producer Stuart Blackburn told Inside Soap: "Tina's had a hideous old year with the surrogacy drama and losing Tommy – but she's no saint.

Speaking to TV Times about the story, Keegan explained: "Peter had never been on Tina's radar, but suddenly she feels completely out of control.

he went on to say: ""I took a four-month sabbatical from the show last summer and spent some time at a Buddhist retreat – and that was a big changing point in my life," he added.

His half-brother, Daniel Osbourne, now portrayed Rob Mallard, was announced to also be returning, as well as his nephew, Adam Barlow, with Sam Robertson reprising his role.

Peter did not attend Ken's wedding to Deirdre Langton (Anne Kirkbride) in 1981 as he had joined the navy after leaving school, but he visited when Susan (Wendy Jane Walker) married Mike Baldwin (Johnny Briggs).

Susan (now played by Joanna Foster), who had been visiting at the time, attempted to flee when Mike threatened legal action and she was killed in a car crash.

Lucy, unknown to Peter, hired his stepsister, Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford), to work for her, covering her maternity leave.

Peter returns to Weatherfield after Ken contacts him in regards to Tracy's stormy relationship with her boyfriend, Charlie Stubbs (Bill Ward).

Feeling guilty for ruining her previous venture, Peter persuades her to take the job and starts mentoring Leanne's friend, Carla Connor (Alison King), when he realises that she also has a drink problem.

Peter is rushed to hospital with crush injuries to his legs and trauma to his lower back and chest and suffers a cardiac tamponade.

Carla is subsequently raped by crooked businessman Frank Foster (Andrew Lancel) and Peter lends much emotional support, to the annoyance of Leanne.

Despite this, Peter is found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of fifteen years before he can apply for parole.

As he prepared to leave, Peter bumped into his long-time friend Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson), who invites him to stay at The Rovers Return.

He sells The Rovers to Johnny (Richard Hawley) and Jenny Connor (Sally Ann Matthews) and moves back in with Ken.

The boat catches fire with Simon inside and this leads to him believing it was Abi who started it, however, it was revealed to be Roy and he chooses not to press charges.

To the annoyance of Ken, he returns sooner and moves back to Roy’s with Carla when she is found but after she attempts to throw herself off the fire escape, he and Simon go to Carlisle whilst she receives professional help.

This is soon changed though as Peter then gets put back on transplant list and shortly after moving into the Street Cars flat a new liver is found and he emotionally says goodbye to Carla.