Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas reveals why Jason has returned

Jason Grimshaw is returning soon (Picture: ITV)

Ryan Thomas has opened up about reprising his role of Jason Grimshaw in Coronation Street.

Ryan played Jason from 2000 to 2016 and was involved in some huge storylines during that time, including his marriage to Sarah Platt (Tina O’Brien).

In 2016, Jason left the cobbles for a new life in Thailand, where he has been living ever since.

The character heads back to the cobbles soon as part of Eileen Grimshaw’s (Sue Cleaver) exit storyline. Here, Ryan Thomas explains that despite Jason claiming he’s in Weatherfield to support mum Eileen in the wake of Julie’s (Katy Cavanagh) death, there’s another reason for Jason to head back home.

Jason claims he is returning to support his mum (Picture: ITV)

‘He’s struggling for money, his girlfriend left him, and he needs his mum’, he told us.

‘He says he’s come back for Eileen, but he really needs a cuddle and his safety net. Jason is still that happy-go-lucky, lovable guy. He makes it up as he goes along, has a loving heart, and is all about family. And he certainly hasn’t changed when it comes to women, straight away he is taking someone back home with him and getting himself into hot water with his brother!’.

Reflecting on how life in Thailand has changed Jason, Ryan said: ‘He’s embraced the Thai way of life. I really wanted to come back in the builder’s outfit, but it made sense that he’s in a different phase of his life now. He is all linen trousers and bracelets and beads. It gives you a feel of this older Jason whose life is now away from the cobbles.’

Ryan is full of love for Coronation Street and the role he played for so long. Even though there was a great deal of familiarity setting foot in Weatherfield, the star was still very nervous!

Jason has been living in Thailand (Picture: ITV)

‘I couldn’t sleep the night before. Even though I’d been there half my life, I felt like the new kid at school. It took me half a day to get rid of the nerves. It was a bit of a shock to the system at first. I even went on YouTube to rewatch old scenes and got nervous. But it became the norm again very quickly. Everything about the script made it easy for me.

‘There are the little golden nuggets of mother and son, you know, the flirty banter he has with the ladies and the fact that the friendship he has with Steve MacDonald is still there. And of course he and his brother winding each other up.’

He added: ‘It was a mix of nostalgia and gratitude for what the show has done for me. When they told me Eileen was leaving, it felt right to be a part of that storyline for her and revisit where it all started.’

‘It’s been the perfect storyline and a real memory I can cherish. It felt like the old days, we’ve all been in the canteen, having lunch together and I had real fun.’