JOHN Thompson has been pictured for the first time since his return to Coronation Street was confirmed.
The TV star was drafted in as a replacement for Sean Wilson after the Martin Platt actor was axed out of the blue having already filmed scenes for Gail Platt’s upcoming exit storyline.
John, who will reprise his role as children’s entertainer Jesse Chadwick 14 years after he last graced the cobbles, looked relaxed as he strolled around Manchester.
He wore a military style khaki jacket over a white T-shirt and blue jeans, and he tinkered with an earbud while walking in the sunshine.
The popular actor was spotted nipping into a hair salon and E-cig shop on his outing.
There could be an awkward reunion on the set when John films his scenes after criticism he levelled at a former co-star recently resurfaced.
In 2011, a year after leaving, John took to Twitter and slammed Antony Cotton as a “nasty piece of work”.
At the time, Antony who plays Sean Tully, had been competing in hit ITV show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
According to Digital Spy, Cold Feet star John wrote: “Antony Cotton – the truth will out.
“Antony you nasty piece of work you are doing yourself no favours.”
When asked by another user how Antony had been to work with, the actor reportedly added: “Trouble with a capital T.”
Antony, 49, has portrayed Sean since 2003 and is part of the cast to this day.
Last week, The Sun exclusively revealed John’s return to Corrie as a late addition to actress Helen Worth’s exit storyline.
Although his character Jesse dated Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver) in his first stint, reports suggest he will now be in a romantic storyline with Gail.
A source said: “They wanted a recognisable name and plumped for John as his character was popular with viewers and a real blast from the past.”
They added: “Obviously his character, Jesse, had a doomed fling with Eileen, so they thought having him come back onto the cobbles and flirt with Eileen’s frenemy would be both funny and a fantastic final fling.
“Of course it would also leave the door open for Gail’s return one day should she ever fancy a special cameo.”
John previously swore he ‘wouldn’t return’ to Corrie following his departure.
Speaking to Metro, he said: “I’ve been fortunate. I’ve had a varied career and like popping in and out of things. I was in it for ten months and felt I’d run my course.”
He continued: “I don’t want to be known as Jesse Chadwick, children’s entertainer, for the rest of my life.
Corrie has said goodbye to several cast members this year. Let's break down who's left the famous soap:
Eliza Woodrow (Savannah Kunyo) has said farewell to Corrie to start a new life in Germany.
The youngster moved to live with her dad Dom Everett, who went back on the £10,000 bribe Eliza’s grandfather Stu had offered to keep him out of her life.
Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) will bow out of the soap this summer when he loses his fight with motor neurone disease (MND) in tragic scenes.
After being diagnosed last year, the fan favourite was devastated to learn he only had months left to live.
Viewers know he is planning to take his own life to end his suffering.
Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) departed the cobbles after being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to study in America.
Though she struggled to decide with her stepdad Paul’s impending death from MND, she was convinced she had to live her life to the full.
Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) has struggled with the sudden departure of his father Peter from the cobbles.
The Weatherfield legend left his family and loved ones behind on Boxing Day, 2023, when his wife Carla Connor encouraged him to travel around the world with a friend.
Simon’s been on a downward spiral ever since and his exit could end in tragedy.
Alya Nazir is set to leave the cobbles as actress Sair Khan prepares to go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her first child.
It looks likely she’ll be heading to Dublin after securing a lucrative new job, leaving her colleague and fling Adam Barlow behind.
Show stalwart Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw, is taking a break to star in the Sister Act The Musical UK tour. She will be back filming in May once her dates on the tour come to an end.
Her character left the Street after her son Jason broke his back after falling off a moped in Asia.
“My time in there was probably about right.”
John’s other work includes beloved sketch programme The Fast Show, starring as various characters, and in ITV drama Cold Feet as Pete Gifford.
What circumstances will bring Jesse Chadwick back to Weatherfield after all this time?
Coronation Street airs on ITV and is available to watch on ITVX.
