Coronation Street star Jack P Shepherd has opened up about how he would handle being axed from the ITV soap after more than two decades. The actor, who has played David Platt since 2000, told the Mirror: 'It’s happened before. If that’s the avenue they go down with me, I could handle it. I can take it. I’m a big boy. If they feel like they need an audience spike or if the story is right, I’d be fine about it. I wouldn’t hold any grudges.'
Jack's journey on the cobbles
Shepherd, 38, from Pudsey in West Yorkshire, started his TV career in drama Where the Heart Is and appeared in BBC's Cutting It before joining Coronation Street. David Platt was originally played by Thomas Ormson from 1990 to 2000, but Shepherd took over the role at age 12. Over 26 years, he has been at the centre of major storylines, including pushing his mother down the stairs, a prison stint, a rape ordeal, and the death of his wife Kylie in his arms.
Last year, speculation grew about his departure when David plotted his own death. Appearing on This Morning, Shepherd said: '25 years, it's a long time. I think it's about 25 years next month. It would have been nice to meet that milestone. But sadly, tonight's the end.' However, he remained on the show and celebrated 26 years in the role earlier this year.
No plans to leave
Despite his casual attitude towards a potential axe, Shepherd emphasised his commitment to Corrie. 'I don’t want to walk away from Corrie. It is a great place to work, it really is. It’s easy. I live in Manchester, so it’s on my doorstep. I know everybody there,' he said. He added: 'With Corrie, if you’re contracted and in good storylines, it’s great. As long as I get the work, I’ll stay. I do year-long contracts. Every December, I sign again if they ask me. Luckily for the past 26 years, they have asked me.'
Shepherd acknowledged his status on the show: 'I suppose I’m one of the legends. People think I’ve been in the show longer than I actually have. They’ve grown up with me, it’s nice. I still feel like one of the young ones - there are about 10 or 15 people ahead of me!' He also enjoys mentoring new cast members, saying: 'It can be daunting when they first start. I’ve been there. You’re sitting in the green room, and there’s Rita [Tanner] and Ken [Barlow]… they’re people you feel like you’ve known all your life, even though you don’t actually know them. It can be scary.'
Pantomime debut and future aspirations
This Christmas, Shepherd will make his pantomime debut in Venue Cymru's Sleeping Beauty in Llandudno, Wales, running from December 12 to January 2, 2027. He will star alongside John Evans and Simon Neehan. Shepherd, who recently welcomed his fourth child with wife Hanni Treweek, said: 'I’m delighted to be joining the cast in Llandudno this festive season and can’t wait to entertain audiences in this year's pantomime.'
If he ever left the soap, Shepherd would love to work with Russell T Davies. 'I’m a big fan. If there was ever an option to work with him, that would be lovely. If Russell wrote something, came to me and said, ‘You’re the guy that I want to play this’ then I’d have conversations to see if I’d be able to do it. But that’s never happened and it probably never will!'
