Coronation Street’s Ryan Thomas has teased that his character Jason Grimshaw may look and seem a little different to how he was on the ITV soap prior to his 2016 exit
Jason Grimshaw is heading back to Coronation Street very soon, but actor Ryan Thomas has hinted he might seem a little different to how fans remember him.
Not only will he look a little different with it being clear he’s transformed his life, after starting afresh in Thailand, but Ryan teased his soap alter ego will be much more mature, “in a different phase of his life”. But fear not, as we will still see plenty of the old Jason we know and love.
Not only that, but actor Ryan has teased there could be a shocking romance in store for the character during his time on the cobbles. While he heads back to the show for his mother Eileen Grimshaw, ahead of her departure from the ITV soap, he wastes no time in getting familiar with a mystery lady.
Ryan has teased he’s causing trouble from the moment he arrives, and that there’s steamy scenes ahead – while he didn’t specify whether it was a known character or a guest role. He teased: “Jason is still that happy-go-lucky, lovable guy. He makes it up as he goes along, has a loving heart, and is all about family.
READ MORE: Ryan Thomas shares emotional reason he agreed to Coronation Street return after nine years
“And he certainly hasn’t changed when it comes to women, straight away he is taking someone back home with him and getting himself into hot water with his brother!” We will see a different side to the character though, as he bursts back onto screens nine years after his exit.
Jason headed off into the sunset back in 2016 after a troubling time and the loss of his father, who was framed for the murder of Callum Logan. Since then he’s grown up a lot, with Ryan hinting at the changes to the character.
He teased: “He’s embraced the Thai way of life. I really wanted to come back in the builder’s outfit, but it made sense that he’s in a different phase of his life now. He is all linen trousers and bracelets and beads. It gives you a feel of this older Jason whose life is now away from the cobbles.”
But changes or not, Weatherfield is still his home and during a tough time for Jason it’s still his mother Eileen he needs for support. Ryan said: “He’s struggling for money, his girlfriend left him, and he needs his mum. He says he’s come back for Eileen, but he really needs a cuddle and his safety net.”
Ryan agreed to return to the show after nearly 10 years away for one key reason. Eileen actress Sue Cleaver begged her onscreen son and close friend to come back for her final storyline and he agreed.
Explaining the decision he revealed: “It was a mix of nostalgia and gratitude for what the show has done for me.
“When they told me Eileen was leaving, it felt right to be a part of that storyline for her and revisit where it all started.”
He added: “I have no regrets. It’s been the perfect storyline and a real memory I can cherish. It felt like the old days, we’ve all been in the canteen, having lunch together and I had real fun.”
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITV X. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok, Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads.