Coronation Street fans remember Jamie Baldwin as a smooth-talking troublemaker who always seemed one step away from chaos. But in real life, Rupert Hill couldn’t be more different and that is exactly why his latest acting comeback feels so surprising. After walking away from showbiz to run Manchester pubs, the former Corrie star is now stepping back into the spotlight in a way viewers didn’t see coming.
Rupert Hill Left The Spotlight To Run Manchester Pubs
Rupert Hill, now 47, became a familiar face on Coronation Street when he played Jamie Baldwin from 2004 to 2008. Jamie was known for his charm, his confidence, and the kind of messy choices that kept drama bubbling on the cobbles.
But while Jamie lived for scandal, Rupert chose a completely different path once he stepped away from the soap. Instead of chasing the next TV role, he focused on the hospitality world and began running pubs in Manchester, including Castle Hotel, Gulliver’s, and the Eagle Inn.
He owns the venues jointly with his wife, Jenny Platt, and over time, pub management became his main priority. Rupert even publicly shared how seriously he took that shift, revealing the launch of his Manchester establishment on Instagram last year.
He wrote, “Taking over #lloyds in Chorlton with @jbfotografick. Opening this Thursday with a big refurb scheduled for September. Going to create a beautiful drinking venue with an incredible live music and events space! More details coming soon.”
Rupert’s Acting Comeback Proves He Never Fully Closed That Door
Even though Rupert stepped away from the entertainment world, he never completely disappeared. Now, he’s making his way back into acting, and fans can already see it through his short film Operation Magpie, which is currently streaming on YouTube.
What makes this return even more interesting is that Rupert didn’t just star in the project; he also co-directed it. He also teamed up with former Corrie co-star Julie Hesmondhalgh for the production.
Seeing the pair collaborate again has added even more nostalgia for longtime viewers, especially since it links his current comeback to the world that first made him famous. Rupert has also returned to the stage, appearing this month in the festive production Tinsel at The Edge theatre in Manchester. He’s continued stacking up stage credits too, including The Fire Raisers at the Hope Mill Theatre in September, and he also helmed the touring production of Mike Bartlett’s play COCK.
The difference between Rupert and Jamie Baldwin is hard to miss. On screen, Jamie was the son of Danny Baldwin, played by Bradley Walsh, and he built a reputation as a charmer who didn’t always make the cleanest choices. After his time on Coronation Street, he fell in love with Manchester so much that he chose to settle there permanently. Even though Rupert has moved on, he clearly hasn’t forgotten where it all began. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for more Coronation Street spoilers.