Coronation Street’s Jack P. Shepherd has been at the centre of the soap’s most dramatic storylines for 20 years and his latest social media snap has caused a stir

Jack P Shepherd is a true Coronation Street icon, enthralling viewers as David Platt in some of the most gripping plots since he first appeared on the cobbles in 2000. Transformed from a mischievous lad who wreaked havoc in his family during his early years, Jack’s character David has evolved into a family man. He’s tied the knot with Shona Turner and now serves as a paternal figure, steering his son Max Turner away from trouble.

This week, however, saw David caught up in another narrative twist. He cautioned brother Nick Tilsley to end things with Toyah Battersby after causing a stir in Wednesday’s episode a narrow escape from discovery by Shona! Drama peaked at Max’s 18th birthday bash when Leanne Battersby burst in to confront her philandering partner. Off the telly, Jack’s own life is much more tranquil compared to David’s perpetual turmoil, and he enjoys keeping his 395k Instagram fans in the loop.

Giving fans a peek into his past, Jack posted a cute flashback photo from his pre-Corrie days, captioning an old school snap with a sweet and simple: “Age 8.”, reports the Liverpool Echo. One of those to comment on the cute snap was Julia Goulding, who plays his i-screen wife, who wrote: “Stop it! Lil cutie.”

Even Catherine Tyldesley, another Corrie icon, joined in with the cooing, writing: “Omg stop.” Off-screen, Jack’s social circle includes several of his fellow Weatherfield residents, including Tina O’Brien, Alan Halsall, and Samia Longchambon, who all hit ‘like’ on his latest Instagram post.

However, it was an update on his On The Sofa podcast, which he records with with Ben Price, who plays Nick, and Colson Smith (the Street’s very own Craig Tinker) that got people really talking this week. The trio took to social media to declare: “WE’RE BACK AND BIGGER THAN EVER! You can now listen to us THREE times a week!”, announcing the return of the show.

Fans were thrilled, with one writing: “About time…I was starting to worry! ” and another adding: “How did I not know this? ! I’m going to go find it”.

Colson has undergone a hair transplant in time for the new season, following in the footsteps of his co-host Jack, who underwent the same transformation in 2019. Opening up at the time about the intense pressures of fame, Jack said: “I decided to get it done as it was affecting my mental health. To the point where I considered giving up acting and not being in the public eye.”

Defying internet bullies, Jack underwent a follow-up procedure just a year later. In a heartfelt admission, he said: “I know some people will say that I am being incredibly vain having a second hair transplant so quickly after the first one. All I can say to that was that I needed to do it for my long-term mental well-being. I have been in Corrie for 20 years now – ever since I was 12.”

The actor opened up about the mental toll of his two-decade-long stint as David Platt,