Coronation Street star Jude Riordan has thrown his support behind his former on-screen mum, just as fans predicted her return to Weatherfield. The actor will be known among viewers for playing Sam Blakeman in the ITV soap while his mum Natasha was played by Rachel Leskovac.

Sam is also the son of Nick Tilsely but he didn’t meet his father until he was nine years old, as Natasha and Nick had split up before Natasha knew she was pregnant.

A chance encounter at Weatherfield General in 2020 caused Nick to find out that he had a son. Bright and with a passion for astronomy, Sam was very close to his mother. However, Natasha was tragically shot dead by gangster Harvey Gaskell in 2021, leaving Sam mute from grief, until Hope Stape helped him out of his shell, as did Roy Cropper and games of chess.

More recently, Sam was left seeing more than any young boy should when there was an armed raid at the Bistro, owned by his dad Nick, after Nick went into business with Harvey’s brother, Damon Hay who had been using the restaurant as a cover for a drugs operation then he has since been involved in a car accident with Simon Barlow after he’d been drinking.

But whilst they haven’t worked together in three years, Jude and Rachel have remained firm pals and are often seen sharing messages between one another on social media. And so when Rachel shared some exciting career news, Jude was quick to show his support.

Taking to Instagram, Rachel, who is currently starring in Waterloo Road as English teacher Coral Walker, revealed she’ll soon be heading back to the stage here in Manchester. Alongside a poster for Spend Spend Spend at the Royal Exchange Theatre, the actress said: “So the news is finally out!! Truly a full circle moment- 25 years ago I played Young Viv in the West End production of Spend Spend Spend – this Christmas @rxtheatre I will be playing Old Viv in honour of the late, great and glorious Steve Brown and it truly is an honour.

“He was a brilliant man in every way – #stephensondheim himself came to see the show and subsequently wrote to Steve to tell him it was one of the best British musicals he’d ever seen. This show holds such huge significance in my life – in my heart and I am grateful to carry his memory forward for you to share this experience.”

Responding to the post, Jude simply wrote: “Mother,” with flame, heart and raising hands emojis and he also shared the post to his own Instagram Story and said: “Yes MOTHER,” alongside a star emoji. Waterloo Road co-star Kym Marsh also said to Rachel: “Amazing news babe proud of you,” while Hollyoaks Tamara Wall replied: “Omg!!! I’m so coming!!!!!” Former soap star Natalie Anderson also shared: “OMG!!!! This is the best news!!!!! So so thrilled for you!”

Rachel’s announcement came as Corrie fans pondered if she’d be returning to the soap despite her character being killed off. Viewers of the ITV soap know that Sam’s stepmum Leanne Battersby has found herself taken in by group mentor Rown Cunliffe.

Fans have recently watched as Leanne, played by Jane Danson, as she has become further involved in The Institue and it was recently revealed the group was providing her with technology that allows her to ‘talk’ to an AI version of her late son, Oliver, who tragically died in 2020.

But amidst the twists and turns involving Rowan, Toyah and the Institute, Corrie fans were distracted during Tuesday night’s (June 18) trip to the cobbles when Leanne was seen helping her stepson Sam with something, which neither Sam or Leanne would tell Nick what it actually was.

In the scene, Sam was seen walking into the flat and asked where Leanne was, with Nick explaining she was out. Sam seemed keen to speak with her about something and concerned, Nick asked his son what was going on. He said that Leanne was going to help him with something but when Nick pressed to know what, the youngster said it “didn’t matter”.

When Nick suggested Leanne may have forgotten, he replied: “She won’t” before Leanne walked in. He quickly asked her: “You ready?” to which Leanne replied: “Yeah, give me five minutes. You get set up and I will be in in a bit,” leaving Nick suspicious. Leanne claimed it was something for Hope Stape but Corrie fans quickly flocked to social media with their worrying prediction.

@LeroyStHillwell said: “Oh no shes going to AI Natasha #Corrie.” @camjmes0 asked: “Have they created an AI Natasha? #Corrie.” @lara_305 commented: “If I see an AI video of Natasha on Sam’s computer screen, I’m unplugging my telly right away !#corrie.” @VampLover27 added: “Don’t say that Sam’s got an A.I mummy on his computer #Corrie.”