Coronation Street newcomer Sam Blakeman, played by Jude Riordan, was an instant hit with viewers when he arrived in Weatherfield last year.
But boy, has he had it tough these last few weeks as he faces up to the devastating death of his mum, Natasha.
As actor Jude Riordan knocks it out of the park as the grieving young lad, he’s a star in the making.
And Corrie isn’t even the youngster’s first role – he appears in Sky comedy Brassic with former cobbles actress Michelle Keegan as his mum.
However, that’s not his only connection to the world of soap – he has a father who works in the TV industry too.
Coronation Street: Who plays Nick’s son Sam?
Sam is played by young actor Jude Riordan and there’s a reason why he may look so familiar.
Jude’s first TV appearance was in the popular Channel 4 show The Secret Life Of Five Year Olds back in 2017.
In 2018 Jude was cast in the Sky One comedy Brassic alongside former Corrie actress Michelle Keegan and former Emmerdale star Joe Gilgun, who also appeared in Coronation Street when he was a child.
Brassic premiered in 2019 and Jude plays Tyler Croft, who is the the son of Michelle’s character Erin and Joe’s character Vinnie.
Jude has also appeared on Blue Peter and in a TV series called Katy, which was based on a Jacqueline Wilson book.
What has happened to Sam since he arrived in Weatherfield?
Where to start? After Nick discovered he had a long-lost son and met him, the pair quickly bonded.
Nick came clean to girlfriend Leanne eventually, after worrying about telling her because her son Oliver was terminally ill.
Leanne understandably found it difficult to take in, especially when she lost Oliver.
She pushed Nick away and found herself caught up in another nightmare with adopted son Simon. Si had got himself mixed up in drug dealing.
Leanne ended up dealing herself to save Simon. She was then forced into hiding when the police persuaded her to turn grass.
Nick left son Sam to stick by Leanne and Simon’s side.
But the gang used this to try and flush Leanne out – by kidnapping poor Sam!
The situation was resolved but Natasha was furious and decided him knowing Nick was too dangerous.
But they worked through it and eventually Sam became like part of the family.
What happened to Sam’s mum, Natasha?
Sadly, the decision to allow Sam to remain in Nick’s life ended Natasha’s when she got caught up in Harvey’s revenge plot.
In a case of mistake identity, Harvey shot Natasha thinking she was Leanne. Tragedy struck when Natasha died from her injuries, leaving Sam bereft.
He gave a heartbreaking speech when he visited his mum in the funeral home. But since then he’s gone mute, unable to deal with the grief he’s feeling.
At Natasha’s funeral on Monday, November 8, Nick read out Sam’s eulogy for him in which he described falling into a black hole since his mum’s death, which he can’t get out of.
Nick and Leanne will finally realise Sam needs professional help and make an appointment to see Dr Gaddas. She then refers the lad for talking therapy, but will it help?
Coronation Street: How old is Jude Riordan in real life?
Actor Jude is 10 years old, he was born in May 2011.
Sam was also born in 2011, in April, months after Natasha left Weatherfield secretly pregnant with Nick’s baby.
Jude was born, and still lives, in St Helens, Merseyside.
Is Jude Riordan’s dad famous?
Jude’s father is Paul Riordan and he is a director.
Paul has worked behind the scenes on Hollyoaks, Hollyoaks Later, 6Degrees and All at Sea.
He’s also directed episodes of Emmerdale and Casualty.
Starting in September 2021, Paul began directing episodes of Coronation Street too. He has overseen four eps to date, including the scenes where it was revealed Norris Cole had died.
When Jude won Best Newcomer at the 2021 National Television Awards, proud Paul tweeted how happy he was about his son’s win.
Still processing what just happened! Our boy up there following in the footsteps of the greatest in telly. Enjoy it all @JudeRiordan you deserve everything 🏆 https://t.co/cpqD6hpULh
— Paul Riordan (@paul_rio) September 11, 2021
Coronation Street airs on Mondays and Wednesdays 7.30pm and 8.30pm with an hour long episode at 7.30 on Fridays on ITV
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