Coronation Street reveals first look at John Thomson’s return – as he hides secret motive

Coronation Street reveals first look at John Thomson’s return – as he hides secret motive

As a cinephile with over three decades of viewing Coronation Street, I must say that the return of Jesse Chadwick is nothing short of a delightful surprise. John Thomson’s portrayal of this enigmatic character has always been a highlight for me, and his return after fifteen years is like welcoming an old friend back home.


Next week on Coronation Street, it seems we’re in store for some intense storylines. The character Jesse Chadwick, portrayed by the talented John Thomson (also a comedian), is set to make a comeback on our familiar cobblestones.

Jesse, previously spotted on the ITV soap in 2010, reappears in Weatherfield at a time when Eileen Grimshaw, his former partner, comes back from her trip to Thailand.

Eileen’s surprised to spot him, and the surprise deepens when he admits he didn’t visit for her, but instead for her neighbor and rival, Gail Rodwell, whom he encountered during his travels some years back.

It’s been mentioned that Jesse learned about Bethany, Gail’s granddaughter’s cosmetic surgery ordeal. Now, he’s visiting to see how the family is coping, but one might wonder if there’s a deeper bond between Gail and Jesse beyond their friendship?

In a Q&A ahead of the scenes, Thomson spoke about returning to the cobbles after 15 years.

Were you happy to get the call to return to Coronation Street?

John Thomson: “I was overjoyed to receive the call. I had always kept an open mind about the possibility, but it couldn’t have come at a better time, as it arrived during my job gaps.

Due to having a young child, I prefer not to stray too far from home. However, attending this event recently made me feel as though I was reuniting with a cherished friend I hadn’t seen in ages, and it seemed like no time had passed at all.

What is it that you like about the character of Jesse? 

JT: “What I like is the way he’s changed. The old adage says, never work with children and animals, well Jesse was a children’s entertainer that had a talking parrot!

He too had a spark about him, leading me to believe that his life could abruptly end due to an electrical mishap. However, this event never transpired; instead, it was his romantic indiscretions that ultimately caused his departure.

“So it’s quite a relief not to have to deal with children and animals this time.” 

How much has he changed over the years? 

Para: “Originally, Jesse James Chadwick had a cowboy-ish, country & western appearance. However, he’s refined himself over time, altering his look significantly. I’ve also gotten rid of the boots that used to cause me discomfort – quite a relief!

Despite the occasional serious moments, he maintains a strong knack for humor, offering ample room for comical performances. It’s delightful to handle material that switches between drama and comedy – it’s truly gratifying to have the opportunity to portray both aspects.

Coronation Street reveals first look at John Thomson’s return – as he hides secret motive

Do we have any idea what Jesse has been up to over the last 15 years? 

As a cinephile, I’ve got to say, his second marriage didn’t turn out to be the fairy tale he hoped for. Things went south, leaving him heartbroken. To add salt to the wound, he was betrayed by someone he considered a friend, which landed him in some truly tough situations.

“So as a means to reinvent himself he started to travel the world to, as they say, find himself.” 

Previously, he had been involved with Eileen when last in Weatherfield. Upon stepping out of the cab, she immediately recognizes him. Does he plan on encountering Eileen again, and has his return sparked any thoughts of reviving their romantic connection?

“He’s not eager to meet Eileen again given their past issues. When Jesse departed, he had investments in two sisters, which, to put it mildly, isn’t exactly ethical.

He’s undergone a significant transformation due to his deep regret over his past actions, which makes it inconceivable to him that Eileen might consider taking him back, given his inappropriate advances towards her sister.

It seems unlikely that the revised Jesse would consider a future with Eileen, given his previous actions.

So if he’s not back for Eileen, why is he back?

A1: “He initially encountered Gail in Thailand, and since then, he’s learned about Bethany. This has caused him great concern, leading him to make a stopover at Weatherfield to check on Gail. They’ve been keeping in touch through emails.

“He’s heard all about Bethany and he’s very concerned for Gail.”

Coronation Street reveals first look at John Thomson’s return – as he hides secret motive

As a fervent admirer, I can’t help but ponder about the Perplexity that envelopes the Platts upon Jesse’s sudden emergence. I wonder how they respond to his unexpected appearance and heartfelt concern.

It seems that opinions about this person are divided: Shona and Nick are willing to consider him favorably, while David and Sarah have an immediate lack of trust in him from the beginning.

It’s believed that they should have a reliable man in their lives, but when David starts talking about Gail’s past relationships, it’s easy to understand why there might be distrust, as her ability to choose good men has been questionable. Shona and Nick are quite understanding in their proposal to give Jesse a chance, disregarding Gail’s history of poor choices in men.

Jesse needs to put in significant effort to earn the trust of David and Sarah, as they’re wary of his intentions due to a feeling of distrust. He aims to show them that he is merely a friend who genuinely cares for Gail.

How are you finding working with the Platt family?

JT: “When I initially walked in, I was taken aback due to forgetting how fast things moved here. It felt like a sudden plunge into deep water, a real trial by fire. However, everyone at the Platts has been incredibly welcoming.

I’m feeling quite content and well taken care of. It’s an absolute joy for Helen and me to collaborate, as everyone here is wonderful company, and there’s never a lack of laughter on the Platts’ set, which is fantastic.

As a film aficionado, it felt like kick-starting an old car after decades; the laughter served as the fuel that kept us going. Ben casually mentioned, “You do realize we’re all flawlessly scripted, don’t you?” and I couldn’t help but think, “Oh no,” but luckily he was just pulling my leg.

I’m seeing noticeable improvement in my rapid memorization skills once more, making it less intimidating. Sharing a dressing room with Joe (Duttine) is fantastic; he’s a wonderful individual, we get along famously, and we both manage childcare responsibilities while focusing on our work.

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2024-09-29 23:34