BACK ON SET Coronation Street villain drops huge hint he’s set to return as he poses in dressing room with co-stars

A CORONATION Street villain has dropped a huge hint at his return to the show after posing with a co-star.

Jack James Ryan became a fan-favourite on the ITV soap playing notorious drug dealer Jacob Hay from 2021 to 2023, making himself known with a string of controversial story lines – including grooming Simon Barlow.

Damon standing behind Jacob, who appears distraught. — Actor Jack James Ryan has sent tongues wagging over a possible cobbles return after confirming he was back on setCredit: ITV

A group of three "Coronation Street" co-stars posing in a dressing room mirror for a selfie, hinting at a return to the show. — He posed with fellow stars Elle Mulvaney and Harriet Bibby in a snap shared on his Instagram StoryCredit: X/@daisysmidgeley

And it looks like the actor has dropped the biggest hint yet that his character could be braced for a sensational cobbles return – after he snapped himself with co-stars in the show’s dressing room.

The 29-year-old actor shared the image, which appeared to be taken from co-star Elle Mulvaney’s dressing room, on his Instagram story.

He was joined by the Amy Barlow actress and Harriet Bibby, who plays Summer Spellman on the soap.

As the trio posed for the mirror selfie, the actor wrote on the snap: “We’re so back…”, sending fans into meltdown.

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Since sharing the snap, speculation has been rife that the infamous Jacob Hay would be returning to the cobbles.

One fan reshared the image from his Instagram Story, and wrote: “shut up, is jacob coming back?!”

The post quickly made its way to the soap’s fan base, with a number of other viewers sharing their thoughts on his potential return.

One viewer responded: “I really hope so!”

Another wrote: “omfg hold up, my good friend jacob back”.

While a third said: “We need a reconnection with Amy”.

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But some fans have approached the exciting rumour with caution, suspecting the snap may be nothing more than a teaser.

One posted: “I feel like he may have just popped in to see everyone, on his insta it looked like he was going to dock 10 media city for something so maybe he just popped in”.

He first appeared on screens in 2021, where his character Jacob Hay quickly established himself as bad news – after grooming Simon Barlow, and his treatment of grieving Leanne Battersby after the death of her son Oliver.

Returning to the cobbles again in 2022, he struck up a relationship with Amy.

Their pairing was initially met with disapproval from Simon, Leanne and Amy’s family, but was able to turn the tide and even moved in with Ken Barlow and co.

But Jacob ended up leaving Weatherfield – fleeing as his nearest and dearest were left believing the worst might have happened to him.

Jacob and Damon talking to each other. — He first started playing his character Jacob Hay back in 2021, quickly establishing himself as a villain after getting caught up in a string of controversial storylinesCredit: ITV

Rebecca Ryan and Jack James Ryan at The British Soap Awards 2022. — Jack has appeared on the ITV soap alongside his sister Rebecca Ryan, who joined the show as scheming Lydia Chambers the same year as her brotherCredit: Getty

Jack James Ryan as John Trowbridge in ITV's "Passenger" — He has since appeared on big budget ITV productions including Passengers and I Fought The LawCredit: SISTER

He had been spotted getting into trouble with drugs boss dad Damon Hay, and he was warned to leave the street or risk the safety of Amy.