Keeping fame in the family, Reuben Shepherd is following in his dad’s footsteps after scoring a role on a top soap

Reuben Shepherd, 10, has bagged his first TV part in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks. He will play Curtis, the son of Grace Black (Tamara Wall). He’s already filmed scenes in Liverpool and fans will see him on screen from September 30.

Reuben’s big telly break comes at a similar age to his dad’s, who began playing David – Gail Platt’s (Helen Worth) youngest child – on Corrie at 12 and is still on the cobbles today.

A source said: “Reuben is a chip off the old block. He’s already impressing on set and his talent is shining through. “He’s got a bright future ahead of him.”

Reuben is Jack’s son with ex-fiancée Lauren Shippey. They also have daughter Nyla together. The couple, who split in 2017, founded the 13 Performing Arts School in Greater Manchester, which Reuben attends.

The young actor got his TV break five years ago in an advert for Yorkshire furniture film HSL. Proud mum Lauren shared footage of Reuben, then five, playing a family member.

Hollyoaks is enjoying a scorching summer, keeping viewers gripped with adrenaline-fuelled dramas coupled with an ongoing, sensitive sibling sexual abuse storyline. Viewing figures for the start of July were up 21% year on year, and the number of viewers aged 16-34 has risen by 8%.

Channel 4’s flagship soap, which is led by executive producer Hannah Cheers, is preparing to shake up its schedule this autumn. From September it will move to three episodes a week and jump forward a year. Further details of the schedule switch-up are coming soon.