Coronation Street is set to welcome back James Bailey later this month alongside two other new guys who look set to cause quite a commotion in Weatherfield!
James, previously played by Nathan Graham, will arrive back on our screens next Monday (March 17) after living in the US with parter Danny since 2022.
The character, now played by Jason Callender, pays his family a visit and checks in on sister Dee-Dee (Channique Sterling-Brown) but it doesn’t take him long to slide into family life.
‘James is determined, whatever he puts his mind to he absolutely goes for it,’ said actor Jason.
‘He’s a little brother so expect little brother pranks but more than anything he loves his family and he really wants to be a dad.’
The actor promised ‘lot of warmth, a little bit of love, charisma and a little bit of charm,’ when James arrives back on the eponymous Street.
The footballer isn’t the only guy set to take the cobbles by storm, however, with Carl Webster (Jonathan Howard) and Theo Silverton (James Cartwright) arriving soon afterwards.
Carl is Kevin (Michael Le Vell) and Debbie’s (Sue Devaney) little brother. They have different mothers so he’s a bit younger than the aforementioned legends.
‘He comes into Weatherfield to ostensibly be with his brother because he’s found out he’s got cancer,’ said star Jonathan Howard. ‘But then we’ll discover Carl’s got some money issues back in Germany where he’s been living.’
Carl will make his debut in April, getting into a heated scrap with Abi (Sally Carman) over a car parking space – and sparks are set to fly between the two, despite Abi being in a relationship with our Kev.
Neither Abi nor Carl make the connection at first so just how will they get out of this one?
Elaborating further on his character, Jonathan said: ‘I don’t think Carl is going to be too bad but I don’t think he’s going to be good either, I think his heart is in the right place but he might be holding on to some resentment towards his brother because he’s left him to be on his own his whole life.’
On Carl’s antics with the ladies the star added: ‘He’s maybe a little bit selfish, especially between his trousers sometimes!’
Theo Silverton, meanwhile, is a complete newcomer, arriving on Coronation Street as a scaffolder – and it’s not long before he’s locking horns with Julie (Katy Cavanagh) and George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley).
Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce), however, soon comes to his rescue, helping him to patch things up with the locals and there’s an instant attraction there for Todd.
But with Theo playing his cards close to his chest, has Todd finally found his Mr Right?
Discussing his character, James Cartwright said: ‘I think Theo is a good guy, he comes in with the best of intentions, as most people do, but he may upset some people with his behaviour.’
‘I had a line the other day where I said: ‘I think I left my trousers in the bedroom’ so make of that what you will.’
‘I was very excited, a lot of my memories growing up as a young boy were settling down with my gran after tea, she’d make me a crumpet and we’d sit there and watch Corrie.
‘I feel like it’s a great honour to be a part of something that’s brought joy to people for so long.’
