Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas is returning to the ITV soap as Jason Grimshaw. This will also serve as part of Eileen’s departure.

Sue Cleaver is leaving the show this year after 25 years. Her exit storyline has already seen Katy Cavanagh return as Julie Carp. But, the returns aren’t stopping there.

Ryan is now heading back to Weatherfield especially for Eileen’s farewell.

Ryan’s heading back to the cobbles as Jason (Credit: ITV)

Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas set to return as Jason Grimshaw

Ryan Thomas’ character Jason Grimshaw was last seen in Corrie back in 2016, 16 years after his first scenes.

Jason moved away from the Street for a new life in Thailand. Over the years, Eileen has often mentioned her son and has also visited him abroad.

And, now, he’s set to be returning to the soap despite Ryan ‘retiring’ from acting in 2021.

He’ll be back for a short stint as the soap bids farewell to long-running character, Eileen Grimshaw.

A source told The Sun: “It was a no brainer for Ryan to return when he was asked – it’s all for Sue.

“She’s like a second mum to him and he was willing to do anything to make her send off as special as she deserves it to be.

“He’s not acted for a while so it’s a bit daunting but he played Jason for so long that he’s looking forward to going back to the cobbles.”

Jason will be back on our screens soon (Credit: ITV)

Ryan Thomas’ return date as Jason Grimshaw ‘revealed’

Speaking on This Morning today (Friday, March 21,) Ryan Thomas revealed that he started filming back on the cobbles yesterday (Thursday, March 20).

Ryan shared: “It was actually my first day yesterday. The first time in nearly ten years I stepped back on the cobbles, and I was in the Rovers all day yesterday, and it was a real moment.

“As they opened the gate, the security man said to me ‘welcome home,’ and then I nearly started crying because I was 16 when I started there and I wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for the show.”

He then teased that he’ll be filming on the show for a few days next week as well.

But, when will Jason be back on our screens? Well, Coronation Street usually films around six weeks in advance, although they’re a little bit ahead at the moment.

This means that we can expect Jason’s return scenes to air mid-May, also meaning that Sue Cleaver’s Eileen will be departing from the soap around about the same time.