Coronation Street fans got a real surprise this week when Jude Riordan popped up on social media looking totally “unrecognisable.” His fresh new photos instantly set off exit fears, with viewers wondering if the new look and headshots meant he was quietly stepping away from the cobbles. But Jude didn’t let the rumours run wild for long; he jumped in and confirmed exactly where he stands with the soap.
Jude’s “Unrecognisable” Photos Had Fans Asking One Big Question
Jude Riordan has played Sam Blakeman on Coronation Street since 2020, joining the ITV soap as the son of Nick Tilsley and the late Natasha Blakeman. Sam didn’t meet Nick until he was nine, because Nick and Natasha split before she even knew she was pregnant, and it took a chance run-in at Weatherfield General for Nick to discover he had a son. Nick later became part of Sam’s life with Natasha’s blessing, but things took a heartbreaking turn in 2021 when gangster Harvey Gaskell shot Natasha in a case of mistaken identity.
Sam now lives with Nick and Toyah Battersby at 12 Victoria Court, and he’s still a much-loved part of the show even if he hasn’t been on screen as much lately. Away from Corrie, Jude has also been doing really well, winning Best Newcomer at the National Television Awards in 2021. He’s also appeared in Channel 4’s The Secret Life of 4, 5 and 6 Year Olds, played Little Phil in the 2018 series Katy, and played the on-screen son of former Corrie star Michelle Keegan in Sky One’s Brassic.
The New Headshots Sparked Exit Fears
Earlier this week, Jude shared a bunch of snaps from a recent photoshoot on Instagram, and fans couldn’t get over how different he looked. The transformation had people flooding the comments, with many saying they barely recognised him. Then Jude posted some new headshots, and that’s when a few Corrie fans started to panic. One person asked if he’d left Corrie and said they really hoped not because he’s a great actor.
Another fan admitted they’d only just realised Sam hasn’t been around much lately and wondered where he’d been. Others said they missed him on the cobbles and joked that school might be keeping him busy, while another shared that they hardly see him these days and hoped he hadn’t left, especially since he’s looking so grown up now. Luckily, Jude didn’t keep everyone guessing.
He quickly replied and reassured fans that he isn’t leaving Coronation Street, explaining that he just looks very different compared to last year’s headshots. And the best part is Jude also confirmed that Sam will be back on screen next week, so fans won’t have to wait long to see him again. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for more Coronation Street spoilers.