Corrie shares first look at huge return amid Eileen exit drama

After nearly a decade away from the cobbles, Ryan Thomas has made a dramatic return to Coronation Street as Jason Grimshaw – just in time for Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver), who is due to leave Coronation Street in the coming weeks.

“It was a mix of nostalgia and gratitude for what the show has done for me,” he says. “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.”

Despite being a familiar face on the Corrie set for years, Ryan admits returning to the role came with a wave of nerves. “I couldn’t sleep the night before. Even though I’d been there half my life, I felt like the new kid at school. It took me half a day to get rid of the nerves.”

But the jitters didn’t last long. Seeing old friends helped him settle in almost immediately. “A lot of the same crew and cast were still there, and it felt normal and comfortable. It’s a reflection of how amazing the show is and how much people love being a part of it.”

Slipping back into the character of Jason wasn’t as easy as flicking a switch. Ryan did his homework – literally. “It was a bit of a shock to the system at first. I even went on YouTube to rewatch old scenes and got nervous,” he says. “But it became the norm again very quickly. Everything about the script made it easy for me.”

The return of Jason also means the return of his signature personality. “There are the little golden nuggets of mother and son, the flirty banter with the ladies, and that friendship with Steve MacDonald – and of course him and his brother winding each other up. It’s all still there.”

Behind the fun, Jason’s return has emotional roots.

“He’s struggling for money, his girlfriend left him, and he needs his mum,” Ryan explains. “He says he’s come back for Eileen, but he really needs a cuddle and his safety net.”

Now a dad himself, Ryan is looking forward to one day showing his kids the show that launched his career. “I’ll have to explain it to my son. Even if they don’t understand it now, there will come a time when we can sit down and show them. Coronation Street will always be a reminder of who I am and where I came from. I have no regrets. It’s been the perfect storyline and a real memory I can cherish,” he says. “It felt like the old days; we’d all been in the canteen, having lunch together, and I had real fun.”

Jason Grimshaw is back, and for Ryan Thomas, it’s not just a comeback; it’s a homecoming. Coronation Street continues at 8PM tomorrow on ITV1.