Coronation Street favourite Jack P Shepherd has bravely disclosed the real reason behind his recent and worrying disappearance from the cobbles, revealing a private health struggle that left him unable to work.
The actor, who has played the iconic role of David Platt for over two decades, was suddenly written out of the show, with his character hastily packed off to a fictional retreat. Fans were left concerned by the abrupt exit, but the truth behind the storyline was far more serious than any script.
In a candid revelation, Shepherd explained that a severe and debilitating bout of illness was the real culprit. "I was actually poorly," the star confessed. "I had to have some time off. I had a thing called labyrinthitis."
What is Labyrinthitis?
The condition, which affects the inner ear, is notorious for causing intense vertigo, dizziness, and a loss of balance. For an actor working on a fast-paced television set, the symptoms were completely debilitating.
"It knocks you off your feet," Shepherd elaborated, detailing the violent vertigo that made standing, let alone performing, an impossible task. The illness forced producers into a quick rewrite to explain David Platt's absence while the actor focused on his recovery.
Back on the Cobbles
Thankfully, the 35-year-old actor has now made a full recovery and has returned to the Weatherfield set. He expressed his gratitude to the show's production team for their swift support and understanding during his health scare.
Shepherd's character, David Platt, is set to be thrust back into the heart of the drama upon his return, with a major new storyline already brewing that will shake the Platt family to its core.
