Jack P Shepherd has finally broken his silence after all those whispers that he was fuming when EastEnders legend Steve McFadden beat him to a National Television Award. Fans thought he looked less than happy on the night, but now the Coronation Street star has told the real story – and it’s not what people think.
A Night at the NTAs
The NTAs earlier this month were a big night for soaps, with familiar faces from Corrie, EastEnders, and Emmerdale all up for gongs. Jack was nominated in the serial drama performance category for his long-running role as David Platt, alongside his Corrie co-star Sue Devaney, Emmerdale’s Eden Taylor-Draper, and EastEnders stars Jacqueline Jossa and Steve McFadden. When the winner was revealed, it was Steve who took home the award for his portrayal of Phil Mitchell.
After more than 30 years on the Square, it was actually his first solo NTA win. Steve was clearly emotional as he accepted the award. He told the crowd how grateful he was to everyone who voted for him and called his fellow cast members brilliant and generous. He even joked about how the audience had managed to forgive Phil Mitchell’s mistakes over the last 35 years. But attention also turned to Jack, who didn’t seem thrilled when the cameras landed on him.
Coronation Street Star Explains What Really Happened
Talking on his podcast On The Sofa, which he co-hosts with Ben Price and Colson Smith, Jack explained what really went down. He said when his name was read out first, the room stayed quiet. But when Steve’s name followed, the crowd went wild. That shift in reaction told him everything he needed to know about who the winner would be. He added that all the nominees had cameras pointed at them. And as soon as Steve’s name was called, the cameras swung away from him.
For Jack, that was the giveaway that he hadn’t won. And, because he thought no camera was on him, Jack didn’t bother with any big reaction. But what he didn’t realise was that a small “sniper camera” still caught him looking neutral. That shot ended up being shown on TV, and viewers quickly jumped to the conclusion that he was annoyed. Jack laughed it off, saying he wasn’t cross at all and was simply watching the show like everyone else.
By clearing things up, Jack has put an end to the rumor after Steve’s win. He admitted he wasn’t upset. In fact, he seemed more amused than anything at how the whole thing came across. So, while it might have looked like Jack was annoyed on the night, fans now know there’s no bad blood between him and Steve’s win. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for more behind-the-scenes stories, soap news, and spoilers you won’t want to miss.