Coronation Street star Jack James Ryan has opened up and spoken candidly about how 2022 given him some of the “biggest lows” of his life.
The 24-year-old actor has been a part of the cast of the long-running Manchester-based soap since February 2021, and has gone on to become a popular addition to Weatherfield since returning as the reformed character of Jacob Hay.
Fans of the soap will know that Jack’s character burst onto the scene last year as a drug dealer groomed by Harvey Gaskell who entrapped Simon Barlow into their gang.
Jacob Hay was later revealed to be Amy Barlow’s secret boyfriend.
Since first becoming a couple, Jacob and Amy – who is played by Elle Mulvaney – have notably moved into in a flat-share with Summer Spellman and Aaron Sandford, and Jacob has landed himself work in the sales department at Underworld.
It’s not just the character of Jacob who’s had successful moments this year either, as actor Jack took to social media earlier this week to reflect on the highlights of his 2022 – but he also took a moment to touch on why this year hasn’t been one of his best, and speak out about why it brought with it some of the “biggest lows” of his life.
He also made sure to thank his family, friends, and fans for helping him get to where he is, and sent a message of support to anyone else who may also be struggling with their mental health.
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Reflecting on the highlights of his year, Jack wrote on his Instagram story that he is “continually overwhelmed by the love and support” that Coronation Street fans have shown for the character of Jacob and himself, and that it’s been “mega to see people get behind Jacob’s journey.”
Away from his career and onto his personal life, Jack is also a proud testicular cancer survivor and added that getting the opportunity to share his journey on ITV’s Lorraine, as well as becoming an ambassador for the Teenage Cancer Trust in 2022 was “was one of the proudest moments of my life”, with one of his other stand-out memories of the year being able to walk his fellow actor sister Rebecca Ryan down the aisle with their brother Charlie on her wedding day in September.
Jack James Ryan says 2022 has given him some of his ‘biggest lows’ / Credit: Jack James Ryan (via Instagram)
But the year hasn’t been all a highlight reel for Jack, as he wrote: “Evidently this year has had some amazing highs, but I think it’s also important to share this year has without give me my biggest lows.
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“If I didn’t have the most incredible family and friends, I simply don’t know how I would’ve got through this year.
“I know a lot of people have struggled mentally this year and I just want to say that you’re not alone. I’ve ended the year with some really exciting news and I can’t wait to share with you in the new year so stay tuned for that.”
He signed off his candid message thanking everyone “for the love and the laughs”, and saying an optimistic “here’s to 2023”.
More adult virgins needed for next series of Channel 4’s hit reality show Virgin Island
Emily Sergeant
Channel 4 is back looking for more adult virgins to take part in the potential next series of its hit reality show Virgin Island.
You may remember that early last year, we brought you the breaking highly-important news that Channel 4 was currently in the process of producing a new reality TV series that, at the time, had the working title of ‘The Intimacy Retreat’ and was looking for a group of adult virgins to apply to take part, if they were brave enough.
But now, well over a year on, we all know that show turned out to be the hit show Virgin Island – which has just finished airing its first series this week.
Channel 4 needs more adult virgins for the potential next series of its hit reality TV show Virgin Island / Credit: Channel 4
If you’re unfamiliar with Virgin Island, it’s unlike anything ever seen on TV before, as it follows the journey of a group of adult virgins who are whisked off to a Mediterranean island retreat to learn life-changing skills in the art of intimacy.
Working with leading international therapists, the aim is to help the young people overcome their fears and insecurities when it comes to intimacy and sex.
Channel 4 said it chose to commission the show after a recent study into intimacy found out that one in eight British 26-year-olds is, apparently, still a virgin.
Virgin Island aims to help young people overcome their insecurities around intimacy and sex / Credit: Channel 4
A casting call for the new series on the Channel 4 website reads: “Are you a virgin and do you need help and guidance with your fears and insecurities around intimacy and sex? Double Act Productions is casting adults for a potential second series of Virgin Island.”
You just need to be over 21 years of age to take part in the show.
Fancy it then? Or know someone who may be up for the ride? Applications for the potential next series of Virgin Island are now open, and there’s still plenty of time left to put your name down.
You can find out more and register your interest here.
Featured Image – Channel 4
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New survey finds most drivers can’t complete a car journey without using their mobile
Emily Sergeant
A shocking new report has revealed that most Brits are unable to complete a car journey without using their mobile behind the wheel.
After shocking images taken with an AI camera of drivers using mobiles and not wearing seatbelts on the roads across Greater Manchester were released to the public last November, a new report has now shed some more light on drivers’ excessive phone use while on the roads, proving that they’re the ultimate distraction.
In fact, nine out of 10 drivers struggle to complete a journey without being distracted by their phones, according a recent report from IMS and the RAC.
The research – which is based on survey results from 500,000 drivers over the past year, originally shared exclusively with This is Money – shows that only 10% of motorists manage to drive from start to finish without interacting with their mobile device.
And this is despite the risk of consequences such as £200 fines and six penalty points on their license, if caught.
A new survey has fount that most drivers can’t complete a car journey without using their mobile at some point / Credit: Geograph | Vincent Wachowiak (via Unsplash)
As mentioned, it’s also despite the increasing use of advanced artificial intelligence roadside cameras to detect ‘distracted drivers’ and their illegal mobile phone use.
Government data showed that mobile phone use was a contributing factor in 23 road fatalities last year alone, and official statistics also show that ‘distraction or impairment’ was the third most-common cause of fatal crashes, having played a role in 34.9% of deadly incidents.
The RAC is now encouraging police forces across the UK to start taking immediate action.
“We saw a reduction in motorists admitting to illegal handheld phone use after the penalties were toughened in 2017 following pressure from the RAC, but numbers are on the rise again now,” explained RAC road safety spokesperson, Rod Dennis
“In fact, our research shows the proportion of young drivers making and receiving calls illegally hit its highest rate in eight years in 2024.
“Enforcement of the law is critical, so we encourage police forces to roll out more roadside cameras to catch people in the act and get them to change their ways.”
Emily Sergeant -
29th December 2022 
