Inside Coronation Street's Jack P Shepherd's life from Yorkshire to Manchester - soap debut at 12, children, 'errors' and wedding

The actor took his first punt on reality TV by signing up for Celebrity Big Brother after 25 years of playing David Platt

Jack P Shepherd has spent most of his life in the public eye having joined Coronation Street at the tender age of 12. But a quarter of a century in the long-running show, it is only now that he's truly been himself on TV.

The actor took his first punt on reality TV by signing up for Celebrity Big Brother this year after some encouragement from Corrie co-star Colson Smith, who finished third in the 2024 series.

Jack will be competing against Dance Moms’ JoJo Siwa, drag queen Danny Beard, singer Chesney Hawkes, comedian Donna Preston and Love Island’s Chris Hughes in Friday night’s (April 25) live Celebrity Big Brother final.

As mentioned fans best know Jack for his Corrie role, having played David Platt in the ITV soap for 25 years. But he originally only signed up for three months.

The 37-year-old, who hails from Pudsey in West Yorkshire but now resides in Manchester City Centre with his fiancée, Hanni Treweek, started out in drama Where the Heart Is. He has also done stints in theatre and even appeared in BBC's Manchester-based drama Cutting It.

Things, however, could have been very different as he previously told of how he missed out on his chance of Hollywood success as a youngster.

He had auditioned for the hit film, Billy Elliot, which came out in 2000 - the same year of his Corrie debut. However, he flopped the audition, and Jamie Bell bagged the famous role and ended up winning a BAFTA. Jack also revealed in the Celebrity Big Brother house that he also auditioned for the role of Harry Potter and got down to the final four.

But Jack is now now famed for playing David Platt in Corrie, however, there was a decade when the troublesome son of Gail Platt was played by another actor in the ITV soap.

Born on Christmas Day 1990, David was originally portrayed by Thomas Ormson in the ITV soap until 2000. The same year, Jack was recast in the role at 12 years old and he has since gone on to play a part in the soap's biggest storylines.

Viewers have seen David torment his own family, including pushing his mum downstairs, face a stint in prison, go through a heartbreaking rape ordeal and tragically watching his wife Kylie die in his arms.

It's since been another busy few months for Jack as his character, who took drastic action amid terrifying threats from drug lord Harvey Gaskell, whose money he stole.

Something Jack has previously been open about is the pressures of being in the public eye since childhood. He underwent a second hair transplant in 2020 after admitting his receding hairline shattered his confidence, with the stress of 'hurtful' comments from people on social media pushing him to take action.

Jack said at the time: "I know some people will say that I am being incredibly vain having a second hair transplant so quickly after the first one. All I can say to that was that I needed to do it for my long-term mental well-being. I have been in Corrie for 20 years now - ever since I was 12.

"I know I have been incredibly lucky and love working with such a fantastic group of actors but the relentless schedules take their toll on your mental health, particularly when you have been through as much trauma as David Platt. People pick over your appearance on social media every day and some of those comments really hurt."

Away from Corrie, Jack is loved-up with fiancée Hanni Treweek. The couple announced back in June that they were set to tie the knot after Jack popped the question to his long-term girlfriend while on a safari holiday in Tanzania. They had been regularly updating social media with the magnificent animals they had spotted on safari before moving on to Zanzibar.

Once their incredible trip came to an end, Hanni revealed Jack had popped the question - and she said 'yes!' It was then in October that Jack and Hanni revealed that they'd set a date for their special day and shared a look at their gorgeous 'save the dates' that will be sent out to their nearest and dearest. "26th July 2025 we become Mr & Mrs Shepherd!!" she shared.

Jack is also a father. He has three children - daughter, Nyla, and son Reuben, who he shares with his ex-fiancé Lauren Shippey, and a son who he shares with Sammy Milewsk.

Jack dated Lauren on-and-off from 2002 to 2017. In 2010 their relationship was rocked in 2010 when the soap star issued an apology for any "hurt" he had caused his family.

He said at the time: "On Sunday, there were some articles printed about errors I have made in my private life. Over the years, I have enjoyed a successful career with Coronation Street, and with this I have experienced privileges that have exceeded my own expectations.

"The core ingredients to my success have come from the following areas; my family, ITV Granada, and specifically my girlfriend Lauren and daughter Nyla. I would like to apologise to my family, for all the hurt and pain I have caused them, to ITV Granada for letting them down, and especially to Lauren and Nyla, who are the most important people in my life."

He added at the time: "I now need to concentrate on what is really important, my family and my career, as I have abused my position as an employee, partner and father, and for that I am deeply sorry."