Coronation Street's Lewis Archer drops DEAD just moments before he was set to propose to Audrey Roberts... 20 years after her husband Alf's shock New Year death By Eve Buckland For Mailonline Published: 00:43 GMT, 2 January 2019 | Updated: 08:47 GMT, 2 January 2019 12 shares 78 Viewcomments Coronation Street fans were left shocked on New Year's Day as Lewis Archer dropped dead just moment before he was set to propose to Audrey Roberts. The former conman, played by Nigel Havers, only made his return to the cobbles this summer, after making his first appearance in 2009. In a shocking scene, Audrey headed to the bedroom and found Lewis' lifeless body lying on the bedroom floor. No! Coronation Street fans were left shocked on New Year's Day as Lewis Archer dropped dead just moment before he was set to propose to Audrey Roberts Heartbreak: In a shocking scene, Audrey headed to the bedroom and found Lewis' lifeless body lying on the bedroom floor Tragically, Lewis, who previously stole thousands from the Platt family, was still holding an engagement ring in his hand as he prepared to pop the question to her. Audrey's daughter Gail had been convinced he was trying to steal her mother' money but Lewis had actually planned to propose before heading to Barbados. As she cradled his body, Audrey said: 'Oh my goodness Lewis. Come on love. Can you hear me? She then burst into tears as she found the box with the engagement ring inside. Engagement: Tragically, Lewis, who previously stole thousands from the Platt family, was still holding an engagement ring in his hand as he prepared to pop the question to her Grief:Audrey's daughter Gail had been convinced he was trying to steal her mother' money but Lewis had actually planned to propose before heading to Barbados Audrey revealed that Lewis had visited the doctors that morning after suffering pains in his shoulder and chest. She then shouted at Gail for making her think Lewis was lying. Audrey said: 'He was going to ask me to marry him and I would have said yes. He was so fed up with you really. He was tired of being haunted. He'd had enough. And so have I.' Holding you: As she cradled his body, Audrey said: 'Oh my goodness Lewis. Come on love. Can you hear me?' Fury: Audrey said: 'He was going to ask me to marry him and I would have said yes. He was so fed up with you really. He was tired of being haunted. He'd had enough. And so have I' A pleading Gail apologised but Audrey asked her to leave as she held Lewis in her arms. This came 20 years after Audrey's first husband Alf Roberts died in an armchair from a heart attack after attending the New Year's Eve birthday party of Nick Tilsley. Nigel first arrived in the soap in 2009 as a male escort who soon caught the eye of Audrey Roberts before getting involved in a love triangle with her and Rita. Shock passing: Audrey revealed that Lewis had visited the doctors that morning after suffering pains in his shoulder and chest Tragic anniversary: This came 20 years after Audrey's first husband Alf Roberts died in an armchair from a heart attack after attending the New Year's Eve birthday party of Nick Tilsley His romance with Audrey progressed and he suggested moving to a Greek island, but the relationship was doomed after he stole a large sum of money from Peter Barlow's betting shop and fled the country. The Chariots of Fire star then returned in 2012 as a changed man who wanted to apologise to those he had hurt and to make amends for his devious ways, inclduing giving the money back to Peter. He rekindled his romance with Audrey and decided to go on holiday with Audrey which caused a feud between her and David. But it all ended in tears as the pair went their separate ways. Sadness: Fans flocked to Twitter to mourn Lewis' passing Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility