Might Thom Bierdz be on his way back to Genoa City?

Soap Opera Digest's Carolyn Hinsey spoke with Maria Arena Bell, the head writer on The Young and the Restless, last week.

Bell confirmed the rumor that a major character is coming back to town. She even told Hinsey the date: Friday, May 15.

Because we already know that's Lily and Cane's wedding, Hinsey surmises it could be Thom Bierdz, the original Phillip Chancellor.

"Nina's back, his grown son has just been cast with GL's John Driscoll, and Maria Bell is all about undoing everything Lynn Latham did," writes Hinsey. "Either that, or she finally talked her sister-in-law Lauralee Bell (Chris) into coming back."

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.