Coronation Street star Jude Riordan has jokily addressed any unnecessary confusion over his role as Sam Blakeman potentially being recast. The young actor, who first appeared on the cobbles back in 2020, made the quip as he finished work for Christmas and shared some behind-the-scenes snaps.
Many fans will remember when Jude joined the show as a child. Now a teen, a new Instagram post – in which he posed for a photo without the character’s trademark glasses – prompted him to confirm that he is, in fact, still playing the same character, much to the amusement of his followers.
“And that’s a Christmas wrap on 2025 Corrie,” he wrote. “It’s always a good week when you have scenes with Bernie!”
He added: “Loads of exciting stuff coming in 2026… STAY TUNED.”
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At the end of the caption, he cheekily said: “EDIT – I’m still Sam, it’s not a recast”, alongside a cry-laughing emoji.
“Has someone at Corrie been watering Jude between takes? When did that growth spurt happen?” joked one comment, while another said: “You’re as tall as @jane_hazlegrove now!! Can’t call you little dude anymore.”
Among his photos is a snap with Grace Ashcroft-Gardner, who plays Lily Platt, and another with Jane Hazlegrove, who stars as Bernie Winter.
There’s plenty of drama ahead on Corrie, particularly in the run-up to the eagerly awaited Corriedale crossover with Emmerdale in the New Year.
ITV
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Emmerdale’s Emma Atkins, who plays Charity Dingle, this week shot down any notion of a rivalry between the two soaps, as she revealed that the special episode left her “speechless”.
“I saw it two days ago – it’s off the scale!” she said on Loose Women. “If you love one soap, it’s incredible. If you love both, it’s just mind blowing… I’m speechless.”
Asked about the Corrie and Emmerdale casts’ relationships with each-other, she went on: “We all get to meet through these awards and stuff. I don’t know anyone personally, we just have that lovely camaraderie.
“I think people want there to be some sort of rivalry, but actually both sides of the pond want this to be a brilliant experience.”
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.
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