Coronation Street star Jack James Ryan has shared the unknown link he shares with the soap's newest actor who will play his dad. The actor, who plays Jacob Hay in the ITV soap, shared a post on Instagram to celebrate the news that Ciaran Griffiths will be joining the ITV soap as Damon Hay.
Jacob made his debut on the cobbles back in 2020 before returning to Corrie last year. He tormented Leanne Battersby following the heartbreaking death of her son, Oliver, while recruiting her son Simon Barlow into selling drugs as part of the evil Harvey Gaskell's gang.
But since his Weatherfield return, Jacob has turned his life, and opinions around, after getting into a relationship with Amy Barlow. That could, however, all change as next month his dad arrives on the scene. Ciaran will take on the role of Damon who comes looking for his son while Jacob is desperate to get rid of his dad.
Damon’s quick to make out he’s here to put things right with Jacob and make up for lost time but Corrie fans will be left wondering if there is more to it as Damon starts pushing for a business opportunity at the Bistro.
Viewers are sure to recognise Ciaran as having previously worked on dramas such as The Bay and Waterloo Road. But the Manchester actor is probably best known Gary Best in The Bill and Micky Maguire in Shameless.
And it's the latter that links him to Jack, whose former co-star sister Rebecca Ryan worked with Ciaran on the hit Channel 4 show. Sharing Corrie's casting announcement on Instagram, the soap star said: "Beyond excited for the stupidly talented @ciarangriff83 to his your screens as 'Damon Hay.'"
He went on: "The last time I saw Ciaran was when I was 10 years old visiting my sister on the set of Shameless, so getting to rekindle over this job has been mega. As to be expected he's been unreal on set and I can't wait to see what you guys think."
On being cast in the role of Damon, Ciaran said: "I’m happy to be back in Manchester to see my family and friends after being away in Australia for the last 3 years. The city has changed so much! And what better way to tie it in with a stint on the Cobbles.
"I watched Corrie as a kid and it’s great to be back with some old friends both cast and crew. I’m loving having the opportunity to work with some quality Northern actors whose work I have long admired, particularly on such a complex character like Damon.”
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