The former Coronation Street actor is set to return to the soap almost a decade after he quit
A former Coronation Street star is said to be making a shock return to the cobbles and end his acting retirement.
Ryan Thomas, who played Jason Grimshaw on Coronation Street, is set to make a brief return to the soap. The 40 year old star, who retired from acting in 2021, will return to Weatherfield as his character’s mum Eileen prepares to permanently depart the cobbles, following actress Sue Cleaver’s decision to leave the series after 25 years.
Ryan left Coronation Street in 2016, however his character Jason was not killed off and instead he emigrated to Thailand and has been mentioned by his mum Eileen on occasion since, the Mirror reports.
Coronation Street family The Grimshaws(Image: Press Association)
“It was a no brainer for Ryan to return when he was asked – it’s all for Sue,” a source told the Sun. “She’s like a second mum to him and he was willing to do anything to make her send off as special as she deserves it to be. He’s not acted for a while so it’s a bit daunting but he played Jason for so long that he’s looking forward to going back to the cobbles.”
Ryan first appeared as Jason in 2000, and left the series in 2016. He then appeared as Rafael Humphreys in Neighbours in 2018, and won the twenty-second series of Celebrity Big Brother the same year. Ryan announced his retirement from acting in 2021, saying on the Mancs on the Mic podcast: “I started off acting, I started off in that game and I really lost the big for it. I feel the reason for losing the bug is rejection and going to auditions and not getting them.”
Ryan Thomas made a triumphant return to Dancing On Ice(Image: ITV)
He went on to appear on Celebrity Masterchef in 2022, and Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, which he won. Last year, Ryan won Dancing on Ice, and he returned at the start of the 2025 series to meet this year’s contestants.
Ryan is also due back on TV later this spring when he will be hosting a new gameshow for ITV with his younger brother Adam. The show is titled 99 To Beat, which sees 100 contestants, guided by Ryan and Adam as they go head to head in a range of challenges. After every game, those who lose must leave the competition until the last remaining contestant bags the top prize.
