CORONATION Street bosses have signed up a soap stalwart for another 12 months – amid rumours he was set to quit.
The Sun can exclusively reveal how the new deal by ITV execs sees the actor’s stint on the show extend past the groundbreaking Corrie and Emmerdale mash-up episode, Corriedale, which will air in January.
The news will no doubt come as a relief to worried viewers, who were convinced Jack P Shepherd‘s troubled character David Platt would meet his maker in the explosive car crash scenes.
Others reckoned he had decided to quit following his recent reality TV stint.
A source has now told us: “Jack’s contract normally starts in November but bosses signed him up early to make sure he stays on the show.
“He’s a massive fan favourite and I think a lot of people were worried he did CBB and would leave – but Jack always tells everyone the show is like family to him, he wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.”
ITV have been contacted for comment.
Jack, now 37, joined Corrie back in 2000, taking on the role of David aged 12.
He replaced Thomas Ormison in the role.
CORRIEDALE DRAMA
The news of the contract should suggest his character will survive the after effects of the vehile pile-up documented in the upcoming Corriedale episode.
The one-off hour-long soap extravaganza will air on Monday, January 5 at 8pm.
On that evening, Emmerdale will be broadcast at 7pm, before Coronation Street at 7.30pm.
Then the historic Corriedale will follow on a one-hour slot.
ITV has also confirmed that the special crossover show will not be made available on ITVX earlier that day.
The special episode is a celebration of the soap genre and will launch ITV’s new ‘soap power hour’ scheduling pattern for Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
After the episode the ITV soaps will move to a new schedule.
SOAP SPOILERS
Manchester-based Jack spoke exclusively to The Sun this week of the return of a soap stalwart this Christmas – which will impact his character and the rest of the Platts.
He spoke candidly about the much-loved character’s cameo – which comes just a year after her sad departure from the soap.
Coronation Street Spoilers: News & Cast Updates
The beloved British soap has been captivating audiences for decades.
The show follows the lives of the residents as they navigate love, loss, family drama, and community struggles.
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He confirmed his on-screen mother Gail Platt, played by Corrie veteran Helen Worth, 74, would again be on-screen and said to us: “She is, she does pop up.
“She pops up and makes a bit of a guest appearance, which is nice and lovely.”
Gail bid farewell to her friends and family for a new life in the South of France when she tied the knot with new husband Jesse Chadwick.
Speaking about her comeback plotline after last year’s Christmas Day episode – which also saw the ghostly return of Gail’s former spouse Richard Hillman – Jack added to us: “She pops up and she’s sending a Christmas message to the Platts.
“And obviously it’s David’s birthday so she’s saying that.
“It kind of gets David, I think he’s a bit emotional about it.
“Because it’s his mum and he has this weird relationship with his mum doesn’t he.
“It’s sort of like this love to hate .”
Last year, Helen announced she was quitting the soap after 50 years on the show and her final episode was released on Christmas Day, 2024.
