Coronation Street fans have something to smile about—young fan-favorite Jude Riordan has confirmed he’s officially back filming scenes for the ITV soap after a noticeable absence. The 13-year-old actor, best known for his portrayal of Sam Blakeman, took to social media this week to share his excitement and assure fans that Sam’s story is far from over.

Jude made his debut on the cobbles in 2020 as the surprising secret son of Nick Tilsley and the late Natasha Blakeman. His introduction to the Corrie universe was emotional and gripping—Sam had never met his father until a chance meeting at Weatherfield General changed everything. That emotional moment marked the beginning of a new chapter for Nick, who had no idea he even had a child.

Sadly, joy quickly turned to tragedy just a year later. In one of the show’s most heart-wrenching storylines, Natasha was mistakenly shot and killed by gangster Harvey Gaskell, leaving Sam without his mother. The incident devastated viewers and marked a turning point in the character’s arc. Nick stepped in to raise his son, and since then, Sam has carved out a home and a place in the Platt family. Despite his young age, Sam has brought depth, intelligence, and emotion to the cobbles—particularly in scenes where he grappled with grief and tried to reconnect with the world after his mother’s death.

However, viewers had started to wonder about Sam’s absence in recent months, with the young character rarely seen on-screen. Jude Riordan, who has grown significantly since his early appearances, hadn’t been spotted filming for a while—until now.

Taking to Instagram Threads, Jude wrote:
“First day back at Corrie a long while! GREAT DAY. Sunshine on those cobbles hits the spot.”

The cheerful post was met with excitement from fans who had been eagerly waiting for Sam’s return. His youthful enthusiasm and beloved portrayal of Sam had clearly been missed. The post also suggested that the actor is stepping back into some significant scenes—perhaps with more complex material as he grows up alongside his character.

Jude’s return follows an earlier Instagram update that left fans doing a double-take. The teen shared a snap of his fresh haircut and appeared noticeably older, prompting fans to flood his inbox with questions. Always cheeky and self-aware, Jude addressed the speculation in a follow-up post.

“Lots of messages saying how old I look and how old am I now. I know Sam has been missing offscreen for about 34 years but I will be 14 in a few weeks,” he joked, poking fun at the long gap between appearances.

Despite being off-screen, Jude has been anything but idle. He recently reunited with several of his Coronation Street co-stars for a fun night out. The group attended a performance of Mary Poppins at Manchester’s Palace Theatre, and the young actors were all smiles as they soaked in the theatrical magic.

In a group photo from the outing, Jude is seen alongside fellow Corrie kids Bella Flanagan (Hope Stape), Bobby Bradshaw (Jake Windass), and William Flanagan (Joseph Brown). Veteran cast member Jane Hazlegrove, who plays Bernie Winter, joined in and captured a joyful selfie with the group.

Jude captioned the outing with glowing praise for the show and some love for his castmates:
“What. A. Show. If you’re lucky enough to be going to watch @marypoppinsmusical you are in for a feast for your eyes. AMAZING. Cast, production, set, music all 5⭐. And even better when I’m with the Corrie lot! Some of my favs right here.”

It’s clear that Jude not only cherishes his role on Coronation Street but has also built strong friendships with his fellow young actors behind the scenes. The post gave fans a sweet glimpse into the camaraderie that exists among the Corrie kids when the cameras aren’t rolling.

As Jude gets ready to step back into Sam’s shoes, fans are left wondering: what’s next for the brilliant, sensitive young character? Will we see Sam tackling more teenage struggles? Could there be romance, rebellion, or more family drama in his future?

Whatever’s coming, viewers are thrilled to have him back—and with Jude Riordan at the helm, Sam Blakeman’s next chapter is sure to be just as compelling as the last.

Stay tuned to Coronation Street to see what’s in store for Sam as he makes his much-anticipated return to Weatherfield.