
Coronation Street legend confirms return with tongue in cheek swipe at the show
Having penned 331 episodes over more than two decades, he announced in September that his final episodes were due to air.
'I took a step back from writing Corrie back in April,' he wrote at the time.
'After 20 years I wanted a break! The way the show works means I still have 2 episodes to air. Penultimate one is tonight and I'm v proud of it.'
Fans were quick to tell him to 'hurry back', with another commenting that Jonathan is 'one of the most talented writers on that team.'
Starting his career as a secondary school teacher, before branching off as a playwright in 1987, one of his most notable pieces is Beautiful Thing, a story following two gay teenagers that live next-door to each other on a London social housing estate.
It was later adapted for screen in 1996, with future soapstars Linda Henry and Tameka Empson taking on lead roles many years before appearing as Shirley Carter and Kim Fox in EastEnders.
He found later success with BBC sitcom Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, which starred Kathy Burke.
Yesterday he took to Instagram to reveal he's written an episode that will air next week – and it's bound to be packed full of comedy. Dev Alahan's (Jimmi Harkishin) wedding to Bernie Winter (Jane Hazlegrove)!
Jonathan couldn't help but poke at the soap's recent reliance on police and hospital scenes, writing: 'My first episode of Corrie since I came back will air soon.
'Dev and Bernie's wedding! But this being modern day Corrie it wouldn't be a proper episode without the arrival some blue lights.' More Trending
One viewer commented: 'Thank goodness you're back, that's really, really great news.'
Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale?
Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews.
Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers!
Another added: 'So glad you're back.'
Jonathan was invited by Granada Television to join the Coronation Street team in 2004, though was initially reluctant. After guiding Todd Grimshaw's coming-out story, he became part of the regular pool of writers.
View More »
He also wrote Corrie!, which toured the UK throughout 2010-11 to coincide with the 50th anniversary celebrations and was the genius behind online spin-off series Ken and Deirdre's Bedtime Stories.
MORE: Reunion hopes grow in Emmerdale as Robert and Aaron share warm scene
MORE: Grinning Coronation Street newlyweds Jack P Shepherd and Hanni Treweek emerge after wedding party
MORE: EastEnders legend Rita Simons making major body change after having 'regrets'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
6 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Hailey Bieber flashes legs at Kylie Jenner's birthday as she reveals famous friend ignored her FaceTime call
was all legs in her latest Instagram post. The catwalk queen displayed her endless limbs in a new post documenting her 'perfect weekend' celebrating Kylie Jenner's 28th birthday. Her long, toned legs were slightly crossed as Hailey sat upon a rustic bench during Kylie 's bash. She was clad in an itty bitty polka dot mini dress with sheer sleeves and a glass of red wine in hand. While her post garnered plenty of 'likes', Hailey isn't always so successful when it comes to capturing everyone's attention - the star also revealed her friend Kendall Jenner failed to pick up her FaceTime call. In the carousel, Hailey, 28, included a photo of her unsuccessful attempt at reaching Kendall via the app. 'KENDALL is unavailable,' the screen announced, along with a photo of Kendall's profile photo, which was of an ostrich. The carousel of images provided fans a glimpse into Kylie's birthday party. Hailey, who shares a son with husband Justin Bieber, stood outside on a grassy yard with a glass in hand, an assortment of pillows and blankets piled along the floor beside her. In another photo, she stretched out her body in a yard, her white top showing off her svelte midriff as it rode up her torso. The 'perfect weekend' also included plenty of scrumptious food. She posted photos of her hearty breakfast, consisting of waffles, hash browns, eggs, bacon, a chia bowl, and French toast. The weekend's menu also included a plate of pasta. During the bash, she also got in touch with her artistic side. She showed off a painting she did of a sunshine face, signing it off with her initials at the bottom corner. Kylie celebrated her 28th birthday with an elegant dinner party thrown by her sister Kendall, skipping the usual over-the-top gatherings often favored by celebrities. The reality star received lots of online messages from her large family to mark the day and the gathering of friends was the icing on the cake. Kendall, 29, pulled out all the stops, setting an elegant table for the al fresco meal, with a white table clothes, decorated with candles, flowers and fresh tomatoes. The Mediterranean buffet included a simple arugula and tomato salad, stuffed peppers, olives, pita bread, cucumber salad, couscous and more. The model tagged Chef Khristianne U as the creator of the luscious looking food. 'Best birthday ever!!!!!!! I'm so grateful to my family and friends for making this weekend so special and full of love. 28 feels so good!!!!!' Kylie captioned a sweet slideshow full of party pictures.


Daily Mirror
36 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Lorraine Kelly 'makes decision on ITV future' amid channel's brutal jobs bloodbath
Lorraine Kelly has presented her eponymous show on ITV since 2010, and celebrated her 40th year in television last year with a special episode of the morning programme Lorraine Kelly will leave ITV when her contract ends next year, a source has claimed. The broadcaster, 65, was furious when ITV earlier this year announced her programme will only run for 30 weeks of the year in 2026, cut from the full 52. Her show will be cut in half and will run from 9.30am until 10am from January too, changes about which Lorraine expressed her frustration in May. But now it appears the Scottish presenter has decided to leave the channel when her contract ends next year. A consultation period, which will determine who will be the victims of ITV's brutal financial cuts, is currently underway and, though her role appears safe, Lorraine is understood to be ready to call it a day after hosting her eponymous show for 15 years. The bloodbath may, though, affect Lorraine's current popular stand-ins Christine Lampard and Ranvir Singh, as the hosts may see their appearances fronting the show slashed. A source told Mail Online today: "Lorraine sees it as the end. She's got a year left on her contract which she will honour, but beyond that there are no plans for her to stay. She will be leaving. "Of course, she will be fine, she has loads of money. But some of the people who work for her have done so for many years and have put up with her demands for a long, long time. Yet they will struggle to ever get another job in the television industry." Lorraine, originally from Glasgow, celebrated her 40th year in television last year with a special episode of the morning programme, which follows Good Morning Britain in ITV's line-up. Production staff on these shows, in addition to further ITV daytime programming, are being impacted hugely by the changes, it is believed. And one employee called the situation "horrendous," claiming "the little people" at the west London-based broadcaster were suffering. They told Mail Online: "All the big names are staying while the little people get the boot. It is horrendous. You'd think if you wanted to save a big lump of cash you could get rid of some of the presenters. There are loads of them!" But among those presenters retaining their jobs is Richard Madeley, itr is understood. The veteran broadcaster will continue to front Good Morning Britain for a further six months at least after penning a new, short-term contract recently. Madeley, originally from Romford, east London, frequently presents Good Morning Britain with Susanna Reid, whose position is also said to be safe.


Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
ITV production staff hit out at 'rubbish' household names escaping jobs amid bloodbath
Richard Madeley is among names remaining in roles on ITV programmes, like Good Morning Britain, despite a huge cull this summer - a bloodbath which will see more than 200 off-screen roles cut Backroom staff at ITV are reportedly "furious" to see "the little people get the boot" in favour of "the big names" amid the broadcaster's bloodbath. ITV is making huge changes to its daytime programming, and is axing more than 200 off-screen roles as a result. Good Morning Britain is merging with ITV News, but all of their top presenters – who include Susanna Reid, Richard Madeley, Julie Etchingham and Tom Bradby – will remain in post for now at least, it is said. Madeley, 69, penned a short-term deal to remain in his position for six more months at least. It is understood Kate Garraway is safe – as is presenter Adil Ray, who looked set to be axed. Instead, insiders say his shifts will be cut. Yet, ITV was brutal to axe Noel Edmonds' big TV comeback after just one series despite its huge launch. And the daytime cuts primarily affect tireless production staff, who work off screen. The consultation period, which will determine who will be the victims of these brutal financial cuts, has been underway for some months and employees are said to be angry with the situation. One insider told Mail Online: "All the big names are staying while the little people get the boot. It is horrendous. You'd think if you wanted to save a big lump of cash you could get rid of some of the presenters. There are loads of them. But no, instead they've all been told they are safe." For now, everyone on Good Morning Britain and ITV News will continue their separate shows. This Morning's presenters will also stay in situ. In response to this, he insider added: "The cuts will fall to those who earn pennies in comparison. When this was all announced, we thought some of the stars would go – and rightfully so. Some of them are rubbish. Rather than there being three or four backstage workers doing a certain job, there will be one – but there will still be loads of presenters." ITV has always said it has to slash costs. Some onscreen journalists are also facing the axe in a bid to balance the books, but it is thought none of the mainstay hosts are affected. One presenter told Mail Online: "It's awful to see, awful. These people work so hard and they've still lost their jobs. And where are they going to go?... The industry is getting smaller and smaller for production staff." Loose Women and Lorraine have also been decimated by the cuts, with presenters on the former facing the prospect of only being aired for 30 weeks a year. Lorraine, too, is going from 52 weeks a year to 30, as well as being cut back from an hour to just half an hour in transmission time.