Coronation Street’s Jack P. Shepherd opens up about soap’s future and admits his contract ‘is up this year’
CORONATION Street star Jack P. Shepherd has opened up his future on the soap.
The 37-year-old has been playing David Platt in the ITV soap since joining in 2000.
Speaking ahead of his 25th Anniversary in Weatherfield, Jack shared whether he’s open to staying for longer.
He told The Sun and other media at a press day: “I was only in the show three months originally, and then they just kept on sort of ringing my mum up, and my agent saying, ‘Yeah, we’ll extend it.’
“So, yeah, 25 years is a long time, I think, for anyone. But I get year contracts now, I don’t get three-months ones.
“So, I’m only ever here for like, another year, so. It runs out this year, [laughter] so they might not continue it!
“They might go with someone else, but I’m still enjoying it.”
Continuing, the actor addressed whether he’d stay for another 25 years – or stick with year-long contracts.
He said: “I think a contract at a time. You know where you are then.
“I think if they were to say… Well, they couldn’t promise that, could they?
“They couldn’t promise a 25-year contract. They don’t know what’s going to happen.
“So, I think it works in both of our favours just to do the year. But if it did end up being another 25, I don’t mind.
“As long as I’m still happy, that’s all that matters, doesn’t it? As long as you’re still happy.”
It comes as several Corrie stars are set to depart Weatherfield in the near future.
This includes Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw), Charlotte Jordan (Daisy Midgeley) and Colson Smith (Craig Tinker).
Viewers saw Yasmeen Nazir’s (Shelley King) final scenes air on March 10.
Elsewhere, Jack has recently landed exciting TV opportunities away from the cobbles.
The Sun revealed he has signed up for this year’s Celebrity Big Brother.
Jack follows in the footsteps of Colson Smith, aka Craig Tinker, who placed third last year.
A TV insider said: “The two lads are great mates, and Colson no doubt told Jack he’d have the time of his life on the show.”
Corrie cash crisis: shock exits for 2025
ITV bosses are locked in a battle to save the cash-strapped soap.
This means that a number of stars have either been axed from or have abandoned the long-running serial drama.
Colson Smith – Craig Tinker
The character of Craig Tinker has been axed by bosses after 14 years. After he was told of the news in Autumn 2024, Colson Smith confirmed that would be written out of the show with scenes to air later this year. Craig’s on-screen mum, Beth Tinker, also left the show in the summer when actress Lisa George was written out from the role.
Sue Cleaver – Eileen Grimshaw
After 25 years playing Eileen Grimshaw, former I’m A Celebrity campmate Sue Cleaver will quit the show. The Sun on Sunday reported in January that she’s already begun to film her exit scenes. However the character will not be killed off in case Sue opts to make a return in the future.
Luca Toolan – Mason Radcliffe
Bosses decided to axe the teenage character after just 16 months after he first joined the show. Recent scenes saw Mason stabbed by his criminal brothers after his pal Dylan brought a knife in an attempt to defend him.
Sue Devaney – Debbie Webster
In November 2024, we revealed that Debbie Webster is set to be killed off after 40 years on the cobbles. The character will die as part of a heartbreaking long-running dementia storyline.
Charlotte Jordan – Daisy Midgeley
The actress became the fifth star to leave Coronation Street in just one month. We revealed that she will bow out of the ITV soap later this year after four years on-screen. Charlotte told sources that she’s hungry to see what other opportunities await.
Shelley King – Yasmeen Metcalfe
The actress has played Yasmeen Metcalfe on the cobbles for the past 11 years and we revealed in January that she finished filming her final scenes. This follows the departure of her on-screen partner Stu Carpenter.
The actor is also set to compete in an upcoming week of Richard Osman‘s House of Games.
Jack will play against Una Healy, Joanna Page and Emmanuel Sonubi in the BBC quiz.
Saturdays star Una shared a selfie of the group – and host Richard – on Instagram.
She captioned: “So much fun with this lovely bunch of people today for @misterosman House of Games! Coming to @bbctwo soon!”