Coronation Street star Jude Riordan has said the support he has received 'means a lot' as he is celebrated after taking on a major storyline in the long-running ITV soap.
The young actor, best known for playing Sam Blakeman, arrived in Weatherfield in 2020 as the son of Nick Tilsley, who did not know he had a child, and the late Natasha Blakeman. He is also known for playing Tyler Croft in the Sky Comedy series Brassic.
Major storyline and mental health ordeal
Jude has been involved in several big storylines, including the recent grooming plot between Megan Walsh and Will Driscoll, which resulted in the teen being hospitalised. After dealing with threats from Megan and Will denying what had been going on between himself and his running coach, the truth eventually prevailed, but Sam ended up suffering with his mental health, with heartbreaking scenes showing his visual and auditory hallucinations intensifying.
Things came to a head when Sam locked himself in the cafe, having heard Roy Cropper, who he was hallucinating in a more evil manner, warning him that Will is going to kill him. After fleeing from the Rovers, with Will in pursuit, Roy found Sam in a terrible state, while Sam's dad Nick Tilsley and stepmums Leanne and Toyah Battersby shouted through the door in a bid to get to him.
Psychosis and schizophrenia diagnosis
Suddenly, a terrified Sam was thrown by the fact that he could see two versions of Roy: the real Roy and the vision Roy. He did not know who to believe, and in a momentary outburst, listened to the fake Roy, throwing a chair across the room at the real Roy. But when his family gained access to the cafe, Sam had run off, and Roy was found injured on the floor.
It was then that Carla Connor-Swain found Sam in the precinct. Seeing something was wrong, she tried to comfort him while secretly contacting Nick. The Underworld factory boss recognised that Sam was suffering from psychosis, something she also struggled with in the past. But when Nick arrived, Sam freaked out and got tackled by Nick. Eventually, an exhausted Sam fell asleep in the car, but when he woke up, he was horrified to see that they were at Weatherfield General.
Award win and co-star reactions
Sam was eventually treated for a schizophrenia diagnosis, and as things are going to take another worrying turn in his character's health storyline, Jude was seen being celebrated for his portrayal of Sam's ordeal so far at the Inside Soap Awards 2026, which were held in Manchester on Monday (September 21).
Taking to social media and reflecting on having picked up the Best Young Performer gong, the teen soap star said: "This means a lot. Sam's recent schizophrenia diagnosis storyline took everything I had. I really wanted to get it right. It was a big responsibility, and I thank Kate, Verity and Ian for trusting me with a big topic-based story.
"Children and young people can suffer severely with their mental health and I still have parents stopping me to say they relate to Sam with their own children. A big team was behind it all."
Jude added: "Researchers, meetings with psychiatrists, mental health first aiders, writers, scripts, crew, directors across the blocks - thanks to you all! Cast - EVIL ROY wing man David [crying laughing emoji] that was a lot of fun! Nick (Ben), Toyah (Claire), Leanne (Jane) the best telly family! How lucky am I? Thanks for voting I really appreciate your support [heart emoji]. Thanks @insidesoapmagazine 30 years! @coronationstreet."
His Corrie co-stars were quick to respond. Gareth Pierce (Todd Grimshaw) said: "You played a blinder, Jude! Thrilled for you." Georgia Taylor (Toyah Battersby) replied: "Hugely deserved darling. You worked so diligently throughout the whole storyline. Just a joy to share the screen (and day) with you." Andy Whyment (Kirk Sutherland) commented: "Really pleased for you mate, congratulations and well deserved."
Jane Danson (Leanne Battersby) shared: "Congratulations sweetheart - you deserve the world! Always be you. An absolute joy to work with and be around. We all adore you." Sally Carman-Duttine (Abi Webster) wrote: "So well deserved!" Junade Khan (Idris Nazir) typed: "Well done Jude, proud of ya bro! Your a brilliant actor." Cherylee Houston (Izzy Armstrong) added: "So well deserved Jude!! Hurrah!!!"
