Just when you thought James Bailey had set sail with baby Laila and love interest Danny for good, think again! Our brooding beau may have shipped out with a baby and partner… but there’s a surprise in the works that will shake things up and leave some jaws on the floor in Coronation Street.
One Goodbye, But Not the End?
Back in the spring, Corrie viewers witnessed an emotional Dee-Dee handing over her new baby daughter to her brother, James, as she thought that he and his boyfriend Danny could give the little one a better life in the other country.
James had come back to the cobbles in March just as Dee-Dee gave birth unexpectedly, with actor Jason Callender taking over the role that was last seen being played by Nathan Graham. In emotionally charged scenes, James bid farewell and departed Weatherfield, or so we believed. But as per Jason himself, this isn’t the last we’ve seen of James. The actor assured that a heart-stopping romance tale is on the way, and fans will not notice it coming.
Coronation Street: A Romance Nobody Expects
Talking to Inside Soap, Jason revealed that James is set to fall in love again—but with someone who will totally surprise the viewers. “James is going to have a love encounter,” he joked, adding that the matchup would be far from the norm. He admitted that when producers first told him about the story, he was so gobsmacked.
So far, James has remained largely in the company of the Bailey family—Ed, Ronnie, Michael, and Dee-Dee, but with this next twist, it looks like he’ll be going off in a whole new direction. Who’s the mystery love interest? The cobbles are abuzz!
From Daddy Duty to Mojitos with a Legend?
Off-screen, Jason has another dream for James that’s as charming as it is unexpected. “I’d love to do a scene with Rita,” he said, calling the Corrie legend an “absolute icon.” In his dream scenario? James and Rita would be cruising the high seas, sipping mojitos and putting the world to rights. Sounds like a spin-off we’d happily binge-watch!
Whether or not Rita accompanies James to cocktail hour is to be determined. But one thing’s for sure: James Bailey’s storyline is far from finished, and romance, revelation, and a whole lot of gossip are on the horizon. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for all your Coronation Street chaos, scandal, and spoiler news!
