Coronation Street star Jack James Ryan has shared that that he'd like his character Jacob Hay to become involved in a devastating testicular cancer storyline in the future.
The soap actor, 24, who first hit the Cobbles last year as a bad boy drug dealer Jacob, is turning his character around in the hope of striking up a secret relationship with Amy Barlow (Elle Mulvaney) behind her parents' back.
However, Jack has now hinted that he'd like to explore a hard-hitting topic on-screen that he was forced to come to terms with in his real life – testicular cancer.
Now thankfully in remission after battling the disease in his teens, Jack said: "I like the idea of being able to tell stories that I have personal experience with.
"When I was 18, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer – I’m fine and in remission now. But when I found out, the doctor said that it was common for young men and I had never heard that before."
Jack, who stars alongside sister Rebecca on the ITV soap, added: "I'd really love to find a way of telling a story like that for Jacob and opening the conversation."
Previously opening up to fans about his diagnosis on the Industry Minds podcast in 2020, he explained: "My brother and mum started crying and I was just kind of in the middle. It was weird, really weird, as though time had stopped."
He went on to say: "And then I always had this feeling that 'this isn't going to be the thing that kills me', I don't know why I was so confident."
Jack spoke out once more about overcoming his cancer battle when he showed his support for Corrie co-star Victoria Ekanoye – who played Jude Appleton’s wife Angie until 2019 – through her own breast cancer battle.
The star reached out to Victoria on Twitter, telling her: "I think you’re class. Been so inspired by you opening up about your cancer journey and I’m sending you all the love and positive vibes.
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He added: "Had my own run in with it a few years back. You’ve got this. Big love!"
Former Corrie star Victoria then thanked Jack in reply: "I won’t lie, it’s one hell of a slog, but my family and friends, all the messages of support… feels like I have my own little army."
She added: "I had no idea you battled the big C… what a warrior. And now you’re smashing it on our beloved @itvcorrie. Much love and respect."
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