Coronation Street actor Joe Osborne is reportedly set to return to the cobbles after three years away – but as a brand new character.
Osborne has appeared in the ITV soap twice before. His first role, in 2017, as builder Rod Kempson. The character sold a flat conversion to Nicola Rubenstein (Nicola Thorp), the daughter of Pat Phelan (Connor McIntyre).
It soon transpired that Kempson was well aware of Phelan’s dodgy dealings, though he fired back by pointing out a number of cheap jobs that had been done with Nicola’s new flat. Later that day, Kempson agreed to knock 5k off Nicola’s offer.
The star was seen again in 2023, this time playing businessman Jason Waterford, the owner of an almost Wetherspoons-like chain called L.S Waterford. He bought the Newton & Ridley brewery and then got his hands on the Rovers Return when Jenny Connor (Sally Ann Matthews) was forced to sell.
The company briefly owned the famous pub and had grand renovations to overhaul the look and menu. However, renovations didn’t really get off the ground. Before Waterfords had chance to open their newest branch, Jenny used stolen money to buy it back.
He is now returning as the estranged husband of Christina Boyd (Amy Robbins), according to The Sun.
The actor will reportedly arrive as Lenny later in July as part of a big storyline featuring George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley), who makes the devastating discovery that Christina has been meeting Lenny for months behind his back.
Radio Times understands that Osborne is set to appear as the character in one episode.
George is set to discover Christina’s deception next week on the soap after Glenda’s (Jodie Prenger) suspicions get the better of her and she searches through Christina’s handbag, ITV previously revealed.
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George later follows Christina to the precinct, where he’s horrified to see her embracing another man!
Unable to keep up the act any longer, Christina finally admits the extent of the trouble she’s in.
Read more:
- Coronation Street flashbacks finally reveals who killed Theo Silverton following dramatic dinner party in early ITVX release
- Coronation Street airs major Tyrone Dobbs and Carl Webster development in early ITVX release
Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV1 or can be streamed from 7am on ITVX.
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Authors
Molly Moss is a Trends Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest trends across TV, film and more. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism and has previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Sun Online.
