Corrie return 'a baptism of fire'

JOHN Thomson claims his Coronation Street comeback after 14 years has been a real whirlwind.

- NICOLA METHVEN

The Cold Feet star is returning as Jesse Chadwick, a way of providing Helen Worth with an exit storyline for her character Gail Rodwell, who is departing the cobbles after 50 years.

And John, 55, said of his first few days back on the ITV soap: "I was a bit shell-shocked because I'd forgotten the speed of the turnaround, so it was an absolute baptism of fire.

"But everyone has made me feel so welcome. I just feel secure and proper looked after. Helen and I are absolutely thrilled to be working together, and everyone is good company.

"It was a bit like a crank handle starting a car after all these years but the laughs have got us through."