Fans of ITV's long-running soap Coronation Street have been left astonished by the visible transformation of young actor Jude Riordan, who plays Sam Blakeman on the popular programme. The revelation of his actual age has sparked considerable discussion among viewers who have watched his character develop over several years on the cobbles.
From Child Star to Teenage Actor
Jude Riordan first joined the Coronation Street cast back in 2020, making his debut as Sam Blakeman, the secret son of established character Nick Tilsley, portrayed by Ben Price. Quickly becoming a favourite with audiences, Jude has been part of the show for over five years, growing up in front of the nation's eyes.
During his time on the soap, Sam has been involved in several significant and often harrowing storylines. Most notably, he experienced the tragic death of his on-screen mother Natasha Blakeman, played by Rachel Leskovac, who was killed by villain Harvey Gaskell, portrayed by Will Mellor.
Current Gripping Storyline Developments
Currently, Sam finds himself embroiled in another challenging narrative that has captured viewers' attention. The storyline involves athletics coach Megan Walsh, played by Beth Nixon, and her inappropriate relationship with Will Driscoll, portrayed by Lucas Hodgson-Wale.
In recent episodes, Sam has begun to suspect that something is amiss between Megan and Will, particularly after noticing a jacket at Megan's flat that belongs to Will. During Monday's episode, which aired on January 26, Sam confronted Will directly about the nature of their relationship, demonstrating his growing awareness and maturity.
Will immediately denied any wrongdoing, but Sam remained unconvinced. The situation took a darker turn when Megan cornered Sam separately, issuing a veiled threat to ensure his silence about her relationship with Will, adding tension to the ongoing plot.
Audience Reaction to Physical Changes
Away from the fictional drama of Weatherfield, real-life discussions have centred on Jude Riordan's physical development. Regular viewers have expressed surprise at how much the actor has grown since his initial appearances, with many commenting on social media platforms about his changed appearance.
On a dedicated Coronation Street Facebook fan page, one viewer remarked, "Sam looks different is it the same boy." Another added, "Sam has grown up," while a third observed, "Sam has aged a couple of years now." These comments reflect the noticeable transformation that has occurred as Jude has transitioned from childhood into adolescence.
The Reality Behind the Character
Jude Riordan is currently fourteen years old and will celebrate his fifteenth birthday in May this year. His journey on Coronation Street represents a significant portion of his young life, having joined the show when he was approximately nine years old.
Beyond his work on the ITV soap, Jude has built an impressive acting portfolio. He appeared in Channel 4's documentary series The Secret Life of 4, 5 and 6 Year Olds back in 2017 and took on the role of Little Phil in the production Katy. Additionally, he featured in Sky One's comedy-drama Brassic, playing Tyler Croft, where his on-screen mother was portrayed by former Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan.
Coronation Street continues to air Monday through Friday at 8:30pm on ITV1 and is available for streaming on ITVX, allowing fans to follow Sam Blakeman's evolving storylines and witness Jude Riordan's continuing development as a talented young actor within one of Britain's most beloved television institutions.
