Coronation Street finally confirms return of major character after 15 years – as a show legend exits

Coronation Street has officially confirmed John Thomson will reprise his role as Jesse Chadwick for Gail Platt’s (Helen Worth) exit storyline.

Earlier this year, after Gail’s departure was announced, Sean Wilson was rumoured to be returning to the ITV soap as Martin Platt.

A few weeks later, it was reported Sean had left the show very suddenly, and that John Thomson was set to replace him.

First arriving in 2008, Jesse happens to be back in Weatherfield at the same time as Eileen (Sue Cleaver). Returning after time away in Thailand, Eileen is taken aback to spot Jesse on the cobbles – and even more so when he reveals why he’s in town.

Discussing his return and what brings his character Jesse back to Weatherfield, John revealed the timing of the phone call to head back to the show was ‘perfect’.

‘I have a young daughter so I don’t like to travel too far from home and although the last time I was in the show was 15 years ago it has felt like meeting up with an old friend you haven’t seen for a long time and the years just melt away.’

‘What I like is the way he’s changed’, he said, pondering over the Jesse we will meet soon.

‘The old adage says, never work with children and animals, well Jesse was a children’s entertainer that had a talking parrot! He was also a spark so I always thought that might be the end of him, disposed of in an electrical accident, but that never manifested and it was actually his romantic misdemeanours that led to his exit. So it’s quite a relief not to have to deal with children and animals this time.

‘He always had a bit of a cowboy, country and western type look, his name is Jesse James Chadwick. But he’s smartened himself up a bit now, his look has changed and I’ve got rid of those boots that really hurt me so that’s a relief! He’s still got a great sense of humour though and there’s some nice comedy to be played. 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.’

When Jesse climbs out of his taxi on the cobbles he’s immediately spotted by former flame Eileen (Sue Cleaver). Despite the history between them, Jesse isn’t keen on catching up with her, as John explained:

‘No he’s not really prepared to see Eileen after things ended so badly between them. When Jesse left he’d been spreading his bets over two sisters, which is slightly morally bankrupt to say the least. He’s changed dramatically because he’s very remorseful for that behaviour, so for him to think that Eileen would even contemplate having him back after he made a play for her sister is not on his radar.

‘I don’t think the new Jesse could possibly entertain that there would ever be anything with Eileen again because of his actions in the past.’

‘He met Gail in Thailand, he’s heard about Bethany and he’s very worried’, John added, revealing why Jesse has returned to the troublesome land of Coronation Street.

‘So on his travels he’s returned via Weatherfield to check on Gail, because they’ve stayed in touch via email. He’s heard all about Bethany and he’s very concerned for Gail.’

He laughed: ‘So 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. 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 slight 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.’