Coronation Street actor Jack P Shepherd delighted fans by sharing a throwback photo of himself as a young boy on social media – and shared a story of him being a naughty schoolboy.
The 33-year-old soap star has been known to Corrie fans for 21 years after playing the character David Platt on the long-running series since 2000 when he was just 12-years-old.
Jack offered fans a look at his even more youthful appearance as he shared a photo of himself dressed as a film character from when he was 11 years old.
Taking to Instagram on Thursday, the TV star shared his photo showing him wearing a shirt, bow tie, triply hat and braces – and went on to explain he would misbehave at school to the point that his mother feared he had an illness.
He explained: “11 year old me as Bugsy Malone….
“A year before in 1998 I was failing at school. My mum was tearing her hair out, school books were empty. I would write the date and the title and that was pissing it.
“Teachers didn’t know what to do. I wasn’t naughty or disruptive in class, I just did sod all! Nothing.
“My mum even took me to the doctors to see if I was deaf ffs!… I remember her being so upset when the doctor simply shook his head and said ‘I’m afraid your boy can hear perfectly well.’
“Then. It was the 6 weeks holidays. The dreaded 6 weeks she said ‘you’re not sitting on that PlayStation for 6 weeks! You’re going with your sister to a youth club. Ya can sing, dance and act so put these little jazz shoes on and get in’t back of car …NOW!’”
The instance that Jack attend youth club may well have been soap world’s gain as he went on to become the acting powerhouse Corrie fans have come to know and love.
Responding to Jack’s post, fellow ITV soap star Michael Parr – who played Ross Barton on Emmerdale – took a playful swipe at Jack, writing in the comments section: “Mugsy Bologne more like” alongside a smily face.
But others were won over by Jack’s adorable throwback snap.
Emmerdale star Michelle Hardwick, who played Vanessa Woodfield on the soap, gushed: “So cute,” alongside an emoji face.
While a civilian fan wrote: “Absolutely love this story. You were destined for stardom and I am sure that your parents are so proud of you. I know I would be. Stay being your humble and funny self.”
Jack has played his character in Corrie, and one special episode of The Jeremy Kyle Show, for 11 years and counting – featuring in more than 2,600 episodes of the show.
Prior to landing his landmark role on the soap, Jack had one appearance on the BBC anthology drama series Clocking Off in 200 and one appearance in gentle ITV medical drama Where The Heart Is in 1999.
