Exclusive: Coronation Street star calls for return for dark Sam story

Coronation Street star Jude Riordan has called for a surprising person from his character Sam Blakeman's schizophrenia storyline to make a return – the evil version of Weatherfield stalwart Roy Cropper.

Before being diagnosed with schizophrenia earlier this year, Sam experienced visual and auditory hallucinations which saw him convinced that his friend Roy was telling him to do violent and hurtful things. The hallucinations led to a tragic breakdown for Sam, where he locked himself inside of Roy's Rolls and was then hospitalised.

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In today's episode, Sam confessed that he pushed Eva Driscoll down the stairs of the Rovers Return, and revealed to his father Nick Tilsley that he has racked up a huge cryptocurrency debt in his name – impulsive acts committed due to the side effects of his medication.

Sitting down with us at the Inside Soap Awards to celebrate his Best Young Performer win, Jude exclusively revealed what he'd like to see for Sam's future.

"I think bringing back Evil Roy!", he jokes. "Maybe he comes back in a little vision, and then he’s like, 'Right, Sam, this is my goodbye', and it’s the closing of that. Then we’re left with just nice Roy!

"When I heard that there was going to be an evil Roy, I was like, 'Get in!' because obviously he’s such a lovable character. Seeing him being malicious, I’ve loved being with David Neilson, who plays Roy, doing that."

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Jude has played Sam since 2020, and this is his second time winning Best Young Performer. This time, Jude earned the accolade due to his heartbreaking portrayal of Sam's schizophrenia journey, which was his first lead storyline.

"I’m just honoured and glad it came across really well," gushes Jude. "It’s been good for the transition – you’ve known Sam since he was eight years old, he’s been this geek, and I think this storyline with his schizophrenia, it’s really matured him into him being an adult."

Coronation Street airs on weeknights at 8.30pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.

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