A Coronation Street favourite is heading back to the cobbles with a new face, having been re-cast ahead of a major storyline.
We last saw James Bailey in 2022 when he moved to London after three years in Weatherfield, before jetting off to the US with partner Danny.
The footballer was involved in some big storylines during his short time on the show, including coming out as gay and suffering a heart attack on the football pitch.
Next week, he returns to Weatherfield to visit sister Dee-Dee Bailey (Channique Sterling-Brown), who is expecting her first child.
The mum-to-be secretly misses her hospital appointment to spend time with her brother, but is soon summoned by Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton), who has news on son Frankie.
Dee-Dee decided to go through with her pregnancy after learning that Frankie needed a bone marrow transplant and, being his half-sibling, her baby would likely be a match.
However, Dee-Dee masks her emotions when Lauren informs her that they have found another donor for Frankie, so he won’t have to wait until her baby is born.
With Dee-Dee planning on giving her baby up for adoption, she is left stunned when James suggests that he and Danny adopt it, promising to provide it with a loving and safe home.
How will she react?
The next day, Dee-Dee discusses the adoption process with her social worker, and agrees to meet with the prospective parents – but will they be James and Danny?
Previously played by Nathan Graham, the role of James will now be taken on by Silent Witness star Jason Callender, who is ‘super excited’ to be joining the cast.
‘James is determined, whatever he puts his mind to he absolutely goes for it,’ Jason teased.
‘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.’
