Coronation Street actor Jack P. Shepherd has had much to be cheerful about recently, celebrating a staggering 25 years playing David Platt on the beloved ITV soap. But with his name now linked to the new season of Celebrity Big Brother, fans have begun speculating if this may be the curtain call for the maverick-yet-loved character.
The timing couldn’t be more poignant. Corrie is in the midst of a cast overhaul, with a number of familiar faces written out or quietly axed. Of course, fans have already started to wonder whether Jack‘s dive into reality TV means an exit for good from the cobbles.
Jack Addressed the Rumours
In a recent On The Sofa podcast, which he co-hosts with cast members Colson Smith and Ben Price, Jack revealed that his heart is still in Weatherfield. He revealed that if it were his choice, he’d remain on Coronation Street for another 25 years. He went on to say that he does not see why he should leave as long as the Platt family is still receiving good storylines, and he likes working with the same people.
When Ben questioned him about whether he ever thinks about anything outside of the soap, Jack was adamant. He replied that he doesn’t necessarily dwell on what’s coming down the line and is only concentrated on the now, teasing that he doesn’t even think about Thursday when experiencing Wednesday. He did add, a bit darkly, that there‘s always that chance he‘ll “just die tomorrow.”
Coronation Street: Award Nominations Confirm His Position-For the Time Being
There may have been some questions about Jack‘s position in the soap, but his recent achievement should dispel those. The actor has received two prominent nominations at this year’s British Soap Awards: Best Leading Performer and Best Comedy Performance. These nominations not only speak to his versatility as a performer but also to his long-term popularity with viewers and critics.
His nomination comes in a year when Coronation Street has remained on a crest of dramatic and emotional storylines. Storylines like the tragic loss of Paul Foreman and the explosive house fire that coincided with David Platt’s descent into depravity. These heavy–hitting plotlines have kept Coronation Street in the headlines and Jack‘s acting in the foreground.
Public voting for the initial round of the British Soap Awards is now open and will close on April 25 at 5 pm. The second round will be from May 1 to May 30, with the Best Leading Performer category whittled down to a final four. The glitzy awards ceremony will be held at London‘s Hackney Empire on May 31 and will be broadcast on ITV1 in June.
So, although Jack might be leaving the cobbles behind to walk into the bright lights of Big Brother, he‘s not turning his back on Coronation Street just yet. For now, David Platt isn’t going anywhere, nor is Jack P. Shepherd. If any news about his exit comes up, we will keep you posted on Soap Opera Daily. Stay tuned!
