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”.
Stockport actress Aimee Lou Wood set to star in new BBC adaptation of Jane Eyre
Emily Sergeant
Stockport-born actress Aimee Lou Wood is set to lead a new BBC adaptation of Jane Eyre, it has been reported.
It was announced earlier this year that Working Title are producing a new TV adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s classic novel, Jane Eyre – which will be led by The White Lotus and Sex Education star in the titular role – and Deadline has now exclusively revealed that the BBC has joined the production as the broadcaster.
The new TV adaptation has been penned for the screen by Miriam Battye – an award-winning writer best known for her work on HBO’s Succession.
Published all the way back in 1847 and set across a number of fictional Northern England settings, the classic novel explores the moral and emotional development of orphan Jane Eyre as she searches for love, independence, and social equality in the 19th century.
EXCLUSIVE: Deadline hears that 'The White Lotus' and 'Sex Education' star Aimee Lou Wood is attached to star in a new TV adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s classic novel Jane Eyre.
Emmy nominee Wood will play the indomitable heroine in the buzzy adaptation which we understand is… pic.twitter.com/ETBRaPJanN
Throughout the novel, Jane overcomes a harsh and unloving childhood and goes on to find work as a governess at Thornfield Hall, before falling in love with her moody master, Mr Rochester, and discovering a dark secret in his attic.
The novel is widely considered to be ahead of its time due to how it approaches topics of class, sexuality, religion, and feminism.
Jane Eyre has been the subject of a number of adaptations of the years – most notably the last major TV version being in 2006, also for the BBC, and a 2011 film starring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender – but there hasn’t been any in 15 years now, and 2027 marks the 180th anniversary for the iconic story.
Aimee Lou Wood is also riding high at the moment after her Emmy, SAG, and Golden Globe nominations for Season 3 of The White Lotus, and after having also been cast as George Harrison’s wife, Pattie Boyd, in Sam Mendes’ four Beatles biopic movies, all set to be released in 2028.
As of yet, further information on when and where the new adaptation will be being filmed is yet to be released, and there is no indication of air dates either.
The BBC is expected to reveal more details in due course, so stay tuned.
Featured Image – HBO
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Greggs renames one of its bestselling bakes after Andy Burnham says it’s his favourite
Emily Sergeant
Greggs has decided to rename one of its bestselling bakes in honour of Andy Burnham.
In case you didn’t know, the new Number 10 North offices in Manchester’s Heron House share a building with lots of other businesses, some independent, some chains – and one of those businesses is the ever-popular high street bakery Greggs.
And we wouldn’t put it past Andy Burnham, being the northerner he is, to have chosen those offices specifically for that reason.
Okay, we’re obviously kidding, but considering the Prime Minister really doesn’t have to venture that far for a Greggs when he’s at work in Manchester now, he’s been asked in a recent interview this week what his go-to order is from the bakery chain.
When asked to name his favourite Greggs bake, Andy replied: “That sausage, bean, and cheese thing,” which, of course, refers to the popular Sausage, Bean & Cheese Melt.
Greggs has renamed one of its bestselling bakes after Andy Burnham said it’s his favourite / Credit: Supplied | gov.uk
According to Greggs, sales of that bake have doubled following the interview, particularly at the Heron House store, as curious Mancs and Number 10 North staff queued to sample the PM’s preferred pasty – so naturally, Greggs has decided to rename the item the ‘Sausage, Bean and Cheese Thing’ in his honour.
Workers at the Heron House shop were photographed changing the signage of the bake yesterday morning, and digital screens in the shop were also updated following the interview.
Andy himself has approved the change, taking to Instagram to say: “Has a nice ring to it tbf. Thanks [Greggs], that’s my order baked in for life now.”
Warren McCarrick, shop manager at the Greggs outside Number 10 North, said: “Our shop has been buzzing with Mancs getting their hands on Burnham’s favourite bake. Sales have gone through the roof this morning – cheers, Andy.
“We thought we’d repay the favour and rename it to what the Prime Minister seems to fondly know it as, that Sausage, Bean and Cheese Thing.
Emily Sergeant -
29th December 2022 
