Ryan Thomas has officially confirmed his return to Coronation Street, nearly a decade after departing the beloved ITV soap.
However, while fans may be thrilled to see him back as Jason Grimshaw, the actor has issued a warning—his appearance will be brief.
A Special Return for Sue Cleaver’s Exit
Ryan, who played builder Jason Grimshaw for 16 years before leaving in 2016, is making his highly anticipated return as part of Eileen Grimshaw’s exit storyline.
The actress behind Eileen, Sue Cleaver, announced earlier this year that she would be stepping away from the soap after 25 years,
and it seems she personally requested Ryan’s return for her farewell scenes.
Speaking about the opportunity, Ryan expressed his gratitude for Coronation Street, saying:
“I got the call from Sue saying would I come back for her exit storyline. That’s where my career started, and I wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for Coronation Street.”
The actor, now 40, acknowledged how much the soap has shaped his career, adding:
“That place will always have my respect, and I’m very loyal to where I came from. They taught me everything I know, so I’m excited.”
While fans may have hoped for a full-fledged return, Ryan clarified that his comeback will be more of a short cameo rather than a long-term stay.
“It’s not for very long. I’m going to hopefully step onto the cobbles for five minutes,” he revealed.
Ryan’s Family Connection to Coronation Street
Ryan’s return to the soap is significant for his family, particularly his children. His eldest daughter, Scarlett, 16, whom he shares with Coronation Street actress Tina O’Brien, was born during his time on the show and grew up seeing him play Jason Grimshaw. However, his two younger children—four-year-old Roman and two-year-old Lilah, whom he shares with his wife Lucy Mecklenburgh—have never seen him in the role.
“It will be nice too because my kids would not have been alive when I was in there, so they’ll get to see that now, which is lovely as well,” Ryan said.
He also expressed his excitement at potentially bringing his children onto the famous Coronation Street set.
“Maybe I’ll get to take my kids on the cobbles. That would be cool. It’s in our blood.”
Sue Cleaver’s Emotional Departure
Sue Cleaver’s exit from Coronation Street has been a major talking point among fans, as she has played Eileen Grimshaw since 2000. The actress has openly admitted that leaving the show after 25 years is an emotional decision and that she is trying to “be brave” as her final scenes approach.
Rumors about Ryan’s return had been circulating for weeks, and his confirmation has now fueled speculation about how Eileen’s exit will unfold. Whether Jason Grimshaw’s brief return will bring closure to his mother’s storyline or hint at future developments remains to be seen.
Ryan Thomas’ New Career Venture
While his Coronation Street return may be short-lived, Ryan Thomas is keeping busy with new projects. He is gearing up to host ITV’s upcoming game show 99 to Beat, alongside his brother, Emmerdale star Adam Thomas.
This new show, described as a mix between Taskmaster and Squid Game, will see 100 contestants compete in a series of high-stakes challenges in the hopes of being the last one standing.
A TV insider revealed:
“This game show will bring plenty of laughs and needs happy-go-lucky hosts at the helm. Ryan and Adam fit the bill perfectly, and it would be great to see the brothers working together as TV hosts for the first time. This could be a really exciting new chapter for them and should be a lot of fun.”
The decision to cast Ryan and Adam together has drawn comparisons to the dynamic hosting duo Ant and Dec, with industry experts optimistic about their chemistry translating well to television audiences.
“They are so natural together. Hey, it worked for Ant and Dec…” the insider added.
What’s Next for Ryan Thomas?
With Ryan’s brief return to Coronation Street and his new hosting role, fans are eager to see what else is in store for the actor. While he has made it clear that his time back on the cobbles will be short-lived, it has sparked hope that Jason Grimshaw could make a longer return in the future.
For now, viewers will have to savor his appearance in Sue Cleaver’s exit storyline, as Coronation Street prepares to bid farewell to one of its longest-running characters.
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