CORONATION Street star John Thomson has teased a dramatic storyline for his return to the cobbles.
The actor is returning for Helen Worth’s exit storyline after Sean Wilson was axed from the show.
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Cold Feet and Fast Show star John, 55, is set to have a romance plotline with Sean’s character Martin Platt’s ex-wife.
He played children’s entertainer Jesse Chadwick from 2008 to 2010.
Helen Worth, 73, who plays Gail, is leaving after 50 years on the show.
Due to Sean’s sudden departure from the show, the writers had to conjure up a quick storyline.
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Comedian John’s character is set to roll into town just as his ex Eileen Grimshaw returns to Weatherfield from Thailand.
She is shocked to see him, but soon discovers he wasn’t looking for her – instead he’s got his eye on her neighbour and nemesis Gail.
And the surprises keep coming when Gail and Jesse reveal that they met each other when Gail was travelling a few years ago and have kept in touch.
Jesse has heard about Gail’s granddaughter Bethany’s Turkish cosmetic surgery nightmare and, worried about his friend, decides to pay a visit.
“It’s a joy to be given stuff that’s sometimes dramatic and sometimes humorous, it’s really nice to get to play both sides.”
“The Platts are totally baffled by Jesse’s arrival, how do they react to him suddenly appearing and showing concern?
“So two like him and two hate him! Shona and Nick are prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt, whereas David and Sarah are absolutely not, it’s just total mistrust from the start,” he added.
“There is the thinking that they need a decent man in their lives, but as soon as David lists all Gail’s previous it’s no wonder that there is a mistrust, because Gail’s sense of judgement over men has been very poor.
“Really Shona and Nick are very generous in their offer to wipe the slate clean and see what Jesse might be like given Gail’s history.
“Jesse’s going to have to work really hard to get David and Sarah on his side and see he is just a friend who cares about Gail because there’s a real sense of mistrust about his motives.”
Cast and crew were baffled by Sean’s leaving.
A spokeswoman said he “stepped down for personal reasons”.
A source said of John’s return: “It’s been an absolutely frantic, incredibly stressful past couple of weeks for Corrie bosses and scriptwriters.”
Speaking of thee quick turnaround, John said: “I was a bit shell shocked when I first came in because I’d forgotten the speed of the turnaround so it was an absolute baptism of fire.”
Speaking about being reunited with Helen, he said: “Helen and I are absolutely thrilled to be working together, everyone’s good company and there’s always fun to be had on set with the Platts which is great.”
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