Coronation Street star Jack P Shepherd has said he was ‘heavily influenced’ to take part in Celebrity Big Brother after avoiding reality TV for decades.
The actor recently marked 25 years on the cobbles in the role of Weatherfield favourite David Platt. But entering the CBB house is the first time Jack has taken a punt on reality TV.
And it was quite the start to his time in the famous compound, after Big Brother was rebooted by ITV in 2023, as he faced – and survived – the first evicition having been nominated by eight of his fellow housemates for the chop.
Despite admitting to having a fear of being “cancelled”, Jack has shared the real reason he agreed to sign up. His appearance follows co-star and podcast co-host Colson Smith, who will soon bow out of Corrie as Craig Tinker, placing third in last year’s series.
Jack told The Sun’s TV Mag: “It just seems to be an experience and there’s not many people who have done it. I think there’s only been about 500 people to have been on it, so if you can say you’re one of them… I was heavily influenced by Cols.
“I have to know someone on the inside to make sure I’m not going to get cancelled. That’s everyone’s fundamental concern, isn’t it? That’s the biggest one.
‘”What happens if I go in there and I’ve no career [after] or people hate me?'” He added: “Or I get booed and heckled. Having Cols on the inside and telling me what it’s all about, I think it’ll be fine. I think I’m just in there to make people laugh.”
Jack as David Platt in Coronation Street(Image: ITV)
Jack also revealed his own hidden talent – but ruled out him ever using it on Strictly Come Dancing. He revealed to the publication: “Because Strictly Come Dancing is on the BBC, I’d have to leave Corrie, which I have no plans to do.
“I love everybody at Corrie. I’ve known these people for so long, and if you’re well-loved that’s a big thing. I think in any job, you have to really get on with the people that you spend half your life with.
“You have to take something from your job and if you don’t, you have to get out. I’ve been lucky enough that I’ve been in a family that has always been strong in characters and the actors that are involved.”
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But the soap star added: “But if I ever did leave Corrie, I wouldn’t write off Strictly. I’m classically trained in dancing. My foxtrot’s very good!”
