Corrie's Jack P. Shepherd admits he nearly landed the role of Harry Potter

His career could have turned out very differently!

Author: Alex RossPublished 17th Apr 2025

He's played the role of David Platt on Coronation Street since 2000, becoming one of the most popular soap characters of the last two decades, but it sounds like Jack P. Shepherd's career could have turned out very differently!

Jack, who is currently taking part in Celebrity Big Brother, shocked both his fellow housemates and fans during the episode on Wednesday 16th April, where he confessed about some past auditions during a game of Truth or Lie.

Speaking to the likes of JoJo Siwa, Chris Hughes, Ella Wise and Chesney Hawkes, Jack said he got down to the final audition stages for Harry Potter, Billy Elliot, and the little boy in Gladiator, before confessing his lie was about Ridley Scott's Gladiator.

Flabbergasted to learn Jack could have been Harry Potter, fans took to social media to express their shock at the admission.

One wrote: 'Jack P Shepard could of been Harry Potter or Billy Elliot wow! 😮 #CBBUK', with another adding: 'Jack P. Shepherd just revealed he got down to the final four potential actors to play HARRY POTTER? AND Billy Elliot #CBBUK.' (sic)

Another gasped: 'We need to go back in time and make sure that David Platt was fighting Voldemort'. (sic)

Of course, Jack was pipped to the role of Harry Potter by Daniel Radcliffe, and by Jamie Bell in Billy Elliot, but he did go on to land the role of David Platt in ITV soap Coronation Street.

Jack, who is now 37, has been on the soap since 2000 and won various awards for his involvement in huge storylines, including the likes of his serial killer stepfather Richard Hillman, the death of his wife Kylie, and the exit of his mum Gail.

Meanwhile, although he's a popular housemate with fans, it seems Jack's fellow housemates aren't seeing the same, with the actor being put up for eviction during the first two rounds.

Despite this, Jack has survived both evictions, with his family writing on social media: #Thank you to everyone who voted to save Jack!!! here’s to more tea drinking, dad dancing and our favourite place to see him in the @bbuk diary room. Jack is a breath of fresh air in the house, giving us what we need, plenty of laughter and we’re so here for it 😂😂😂

'Let’s manifest he manages to escape being up for eviction again as my train mileage is becoming concerning 👀'. (sic)

Check out all of this year's CBB housemates below:

Jack P. Shepherd: WINNER

Best known for: Coronation Street actor

Danny Beard: SECOND PLACE

Best known for: Drag performer and singer

JoJo Siwa: THIRD PLACE

Best known for: American singer and dancer

Donna Preston: FOURTH PLACE

Best known for: Actress and comedian

Chesney Hawkes: FIFTH PLACE

Best known for: 90s pop star

Chris Hughes: SIXTH PLACE

Best known for: Love Island star and TV presenter

Patsy Palmer: EVICTED

Best known for: EastEnders actress

Ella Rae Wise: EVICTED

Best known for: TOWIE star

Angelica Bell: EVICTED

Best known for: TV and Radio host

Daley Thompson: EVICTED

Best known for: Olympic athlete

Trisha Goddard: EVICTED

Best known for: TV host

Mickey Rourke: REMOVED

Best known for: American actor and former professional boxer

Michael Fabricant: EVICTED

Best known for: Former Member of Parliament

Celebrity Big Brother airs every Sunday-Friday at 9pm on ITV1/STV1 and ITVX/STV Player.

Now read:

Your ultimate guide to Celebrity Big Brother

CBB fans accuse Ella of being 'jealous' over JoJo's friendship with Chris

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