Fans of the long-running ITV soap Coronation Street have been left utterly stunned by the dramatic transformation of young star Jude Riordan. The actor, best known for playing Sam Blakeman on the cobbles, shared new photos that reveal just how much he has grown up since his debut.
From Cobbles Kid to Teenage Star
Jude Riordan first arrived in Weatherfield back in 2020, introduced as the secret son of Nick Tilsley, played by Ben Price. His character, Sam, quickly became a fan favourite, navigating major storylines including the tragic death of his on-screen mother, Natasha Blakeman, at the hands of villain Harvey Gaskell.
The talented youngster's performance was recognised nationally when he won the Best Newcomer prize at the National Television Awards in 2021. Away from the Street, Jude's career began earlier, with appearances in Channel 4's documentary The Secret Life of 4, 5 and 6 Year Olds in 2017 and a role in the series Katy.
A Life Beyond the Soap
Riordan has also made his mark on other popular shows. He notably starred in the Sky One comedy series Brassic, playing Tyler Croft. On the show, his screen mum was portrayed by former Coronation Street actress Michelle Keegan. Following the show's conclusion after its seventh series, Jude recently reminisced about his time on set, calling the experience "GOOD TIMES" and praising his co-stars, including Joseph Gilgun.
The actor regularly keeps his 90,500 Instagram followers updated with glimpses into his life and career. It was a recent series of photos from a professional shoot that truly caught his audience off guard, showcasing a mature and noticeably older look.
Fan Reaction to the New Look
The response from followers was one of universal shock and nostalgia. One admirer exclaimed, "Oh my gosh he's grown up so much!" while another simply stated, "Grown up so fast." A third comment summed up the collective feeling, declaring, "Oh my goodness, little dude! You look so grown up!"
The transformation highlights the passage of time for a beloved child actor on one of Britain's most-watched television programmes. As Sam Blakeman continues his journey on the cobbles, fans are now seeing a very different young man to the boy who first arrived six years ago.
Coronation Street airs Monday to Friday at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
