View Full Version : Jesse Chadwick (John Thomson)
Kingdom actor and comedian John Thomson has joined the cast of Coronation Street for a three-episode stint.
The 39-year-old, who appeared briefly as Nigel Pearson in the second series and full-time in the third series of the Norfolk-based legal drama, is to play down-on-his-luck kids' entertainer Jessie.
A spokeswoman for the ITV soap said of the casting: "We are delighted that John is joining the show. John is a fantastic comedy actor and is perfect for the part of Jessie."
Thomson begins filming his three episodes next month and will appear on screen towards the end of the year.
Producers hope to lure him back for a longer stint next year.
Thomson has previously appeared in Men Behaving Badly, New Street Law and most notably, Cold Feet.
OMG i loved him in the fianl episode of Skins - "Asbos and Arabs" :D :lol:
HoneyBee
02-09-2008, 19:13
Any good story lines for 'Jessie'?
I like him and look forward to his appearance. Hope they give him a good storyline.
tammyy2j
03-10-2008, 11:00
Christmas is always a great time of year for our soaps. If nothing else, they really like wheeling out the big guns when it comes to storylines.
But the forthcoming season to be jolly in Weatherfield will also herald the arrival of the latest famous face to grace the long-running show - John Thomson.
He revealed to chat show host Paul O'Grady, that he will be playing a cowboy when he makes a guest appearance in three editions in December.
Thomson will play Jessie, one half of a children's entertainment act. And the even better news is, the Cold Feet actor won't be leaving the Street's little ones high and dry, as he's set to pop up again in the New Year.
Amazingly, despite the comedian and actor's career stretching back to 1984, he has never previously appeared in any of our beloved soaps.
Could this be the start of a beautiful relationship?
I love John Thompson, i love the guest actors corrie have. Adds a bit off light relief compared to the full on high emotional stuff.
COMEDY star John Thomson arrives in Weatherfield and his character catches the eye of Eileen Grimshaw in Coronation street.
The former Cold Feet star plays kids’ entertainer General Custard.
He is hired by Steve McDonald to perform at daughter Amy’s birthday party.
But when Custard – alias Jesse Chadwick – turns up he’s in no mood to entertain the kids as his wife and sidekick has run off with another man.
Steve manages to console a devastated Jesse and persuades Eileen to step in as Hia-Low.
At first Eileen has reservations about dressing up but after hitting it off with Jesse she takes on the role.
The pair end up going for a pint together in the Rovers once the party has finished.
And after a great night together Jesse leaves her a parting gift – one of the feathers from her costume.
A Corrie insider said: “The part was written especially for John. He initially comes into the Street for a couple of episodes but will return in the New Year when he moves in with Peter Barlow.
“He’s meant to be a guest but Peter won’t be able to get rid of him.
“Eileen is over the moon when he comes back and romance is definitely on the cards.”
Him and Peter Barlow living together, can't wait :lol:
From Daily Star Sunday
tammyy2j
07-12-2008, 23:15
Comedy star John Thomson arrives in Weatherfield and his character catches the eye of Eileen Grimshaw in Coronation street.
The former Cold Feet star plays kids’ entertainer General Custard.
He is hired by Steve McDonald to perform at daughter Amy’s birthday party.
But when Custard – alias Jesse Chadwick – turns up he’s in no mood to entertain the kids as his wife and sidekick has run off with another man.
Steve manages to console a devastated Jesse and persuades Eileen to step in as Hia-Low.
At first Eileen has reservations about dressing up but after hitting it off with Jesse she takes on the role.
The pair end up going for a pint together in the Rovers once the party has finished.
And after a great night together Jesse leaves her a parting gift – one of the feathers from her costume.
A Corrie insider said: “The part was written especially for John. He initially comes into the Street for a couple of episodes but will return in the New Year when he moves in with Peter Barlow.
“He’s meant to be a guest but Peter won’t be able to get rid of him.
“Eileen is over the moon when he comes back and romance is definitely on the cards.”
Former Cold Feet actor John Thomson makes his debut in Coronation Street next week as electrician-turned-children's entertainer Jesse Chadwick. The part, which was specifically written for the comic, sees Jesse arrive on the Cobbles without the other half of his double act Hia Lowa, who also happens to be his wife. However, Eileen's (Sue Cleaver) available to lend a helping hand to Jesse and assumes the role of Hia Lowa. Last week, DS caught up with John to chat about his character, Sue Cleaver and a potential long-term stint on the soap.
How did the Corrie role come about?
"Kim Crowther, the producer at Corrie, worked on the ITV drama Mobile and she saw me on that. She earmarked me from then. Then me and Chris [Gascoyne] - who plays Peter Barlow - did New Street Law together and she saw a bit of rapport between us."
Tell me about your character.
"His name's Jesse Chadwick, a children's entertainer in a Wild West theme stroke electrician. I did Corrie about 20 years ago but I didn't have a surname, so I knew I wasn't coming back! I think I was Gary the biker…"
Was the character written for you?
"I'm pretty sure that was the case, yeah."
What's he on the Street for?
"Steve McDonald has organised his daughter Amy's birthday party and I turn up. But unfortunately, I'm part of a double act with my wife - I'm General Custard and she's Hia Lowa. You couldn't make it up could you? She's left me and I need a stand-in. Then Eileen stands in."
And you got to work with the fantastic Sue Cleaver.
"I went to college with Sue, actually - she was in [Steve] Coogan's year. I know Sue from way back. I was eased in gently, though. I knew most people in my first scene."
They end up having a drink together?
"Yeah, it's quite flirtatious. When Jesse leaves, he gives Eileen a red feather from the headdress. It's like a symbol for 'I'll be back'."
Have the producers invited you back for a longer stint as originally reported?
"We're still in negotiations, but yeah. Hopefully, subject to other work, I'll be coming back again for a longer stint."
You've done a lot of television over the years. What's been your favourite show?
"When people work with me, they always say that they can't believe how much I've done. When I was 18, I worked solidly that summer doing a professional stage show and have been on a roll ever since. Cold Feet has to be the best drama. It's the best thing I've done. It was written brilliantly and had a great cast. For comedy, though, probably The Fast Show. "
Whatever happened to the cheeky monkey from his appearance in Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge?
"Joe Beesley will be back when his course of medication's finished. He's probably doubled up on Prozac at the minute. When he's on the one tablet a day, he'll be back."
What else do you have in the pipeline at the moment?
"Nothing's concrete, but I'm rehearsing panto at the moment. I'm supposed to do a sitcom in January for BBC One called Big Top, which is greenlit, but nowadays, greenlit means amber because of the credit crunch. So we don't really know whether that's happening. And then I'll be back in Kingdom now that I'm a regular."
COLD Feet star John Thomson is to join Coronation Street full time.
John, 39 — who appeared in three episodes in December as electrician-turned-children’s entertainer Jesse Chadwick — returns this spring.
And he will soon get together with Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver), before moving in with Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne).
A source said: “Producers went the extra mile to get him. He’s worked with Chris and Sue before and the chemistry between them was perfect.”
John, who found fame as Pete Gifford in Cold Feet, said: “I knew I was coming back this time because they gave me a surname!”
Kingdom star John — a Corrie extra 20 years ago — first appeared in December dressed as a cowboy for Amy McDonald’s birthday party in The Rovers.
He took a shine to Eileen when she stepped in to play his Indian princess sidekick after his girlfriend dumped him.
Good news, I hope that he will become Eileens partner, she deserves a little romance in her life :cheer:
Former Cold Feet actor John Thomson is to make a permanent return to Coronation Street following his brief debut last month, Digital Spy can confirm.
The 39-year-old comedian - who played Pete Gifford in the ITV comedy series - originally signed for a three-episode stint playing down-on-his-luck kids' entertainer Jesse Chadwick.
Jesse turned up at the Rovers for Steve McDonald's (Simon Gregson) daughter Amy's (Amber Chadwick) birthday party without the other half of his double act, who also happened to be his wife. When switchboard operator Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver) offered to help out, there was an immediate spark between the pair.
On leaving Weatherfield, Jesse left Eileen with a red feather from her costume's headdress and vowed to return.
When he returns to the Street, Jesse will pick up where he left off with Eileen and become good friends with Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne).
Speaking in December, Thomson said: "Subject to other work, I'll be coming back again for a longer stint."
A spokesperson for the ITV soap this afternoon told DS: "We can confirm that John has signed for an initial six months and will return to filming in May. It's all-systems go to have Jesse back on screen from late June, early July."
John Thomson is to become embroiled in a screen love triangle when his character returns to Weatherfield later this year.
The 40-year-old initially signed for three episodes as comedic kids' entertainer Jesse Chadwick.
Following his brief stint, which aired at the end of last year, it was announced in January that he would make a permanent comeback next month.
On returning to the cobbles, Jesse finds himself at the centre of a complicated love triangle between the lady of his affection, Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver), and her new found half-sister, Julie Carp (Katy Cavanagh).
According to the Daily Star, Julie manages to convince Jesse that she should be his stagehand, prompting her to become a Debbie McGee-style assistant. Their time spent together allegedly results in Jesse dumping Eileen after embarking on an affair with Julie.
A source said: "Eileen is devastated at losing Jesse - especially to Julie. She thought she had finally found a man she could trust."
Chloe O'brien
16-05-2009, 03:18
I take it that Julie and Kirk split up as rumoured Kirk is to be given the boot. Again no happy times for Eileen.
Kirk and Julie have split already or are they getting back together :confused:
JOHN Thomson might have left Corrie - but his soap co-stars proved he had friends for life last night.
The Cold Feet actor, who has filmed his last scenes as children's entertainer Jesse Chadwick in the soap, was the centre of attention when the cast partied at the Albert's Shed restaurant in Manchester.
He posed happily with his pal Chris Gascoyne, who plays Peter Baldwin, after the do.
Resident stunner Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre) also beamed for snappers as she left the venue.
A camera-shy Katherine Kelly (Becky McDonald), Antony Cotton (Sean Tully), Ben Price (Nick Tilsley) and Jennie McAlpine (Fiz Stape) were also spotted at the party.
ITV bosses threw the bash to celebrate Coronation Street's big win at the National Television Awards last month.
[B] I dod not realise that he has finished already, would like to have seen more of him and Sean entertaining kids, I thought they were funny together. :( [B]
I liked him as well, i thouht he was staying longer, it seems very soon since.
Ive been to ALberts Shed, its very posh
Chloe O'brien
18-02-2010, 12:12
Another broken heart for Eileen then.
I didn't know he was leaving. They didn't make the most of his character, did they?
tammyy2j
18-02-2010, 15:00
Has he left on screen already?
I liked the character - poor Eileen always unlucky in love
It says he has filmed his last scenes so I expect we shall see him a few more times yet before he breaks up with Eileen :(
Eileen throws him out when he refuses to share a major win on the horses
Oh yeah I heard that - doesn't he spend most of it on his mother?
John Thomson has admitted that he would be reluctant to reprise his role on Coronation Street.
The Cold Feet actor, who played hapless children's entertainer Jesse between 2008 and 2010, said that his character left the soap at the right time.
Thomson told Metro: "I've been fortunate. I've had a varied career and like popping in and out of things. I was in it for ten months and felt I'd run my course."
Jesse Chadwick, who carried his pet parrot everywhere, was involved in a comedy love triangle with Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver) and her half-sister Julie Carp (Katy Cavanagh).
The 43-year-old Fast Show star added that he feared he would become typecast if he stayed on the ITV soap.
"I don't want to be known as Jesse Chadwick, children's entertainer, for the rest of my life," he said. "My time in there was probably about right."
John Thomson would happily reprise his role in Cold Feet (Picture: Flynet)
What’s the show about?
It’s a road trip travelogue around Britain with two ageing* comics breathing new life into a tired format.
What sort of stuff did you get up to?
We went on a lifeboat, went to the mod rally in Brighton and did a chilli eating competition. I really enjoyed chainsaw carving – I made an owl. It would look nice in an allotment. I can also now say ‘good morning’ in Cornish.
Have you acquired new skills in the course of your acting jobs?
I learned a bit of magic and how to make balloon animals for* Corrie. I learned how to drive an HGV lorry for something else. I’ve done a bit of sword fighting, horse riding and hand-to-hand combat as well.
Would you go back to Coronation Street?
I’ve been fortunate. I’ve had a varied career and like popping in and out of things. I was in it for ten months and felt I’d run my course. I don’t want to be known as Jesse Chadwick, children’s entertainer, for the rest of my life. My time in there was probably about right.
What have been your career disappointments?
I was cut out of The English Patient, although Anthony Minghella was kind enough to write me a letter telling me I didn’t make the final cut. That was very nice, because there are directors who don’t tell you. I know people who have taken their entire families to the New York premiere of films only to find they’re not in it anymore. When the director’s cut DVD came out,* I didn’t make that either.
Which show do you get recognised the most from?
Cold Feet. I’m asked every week when it’s coming back. It’s phenomenal. We haven’t done it for nine years but people still want a new series.
Why is that?
The cast was great. It was shot on 16mm film, so it looked great. Nothing’s shot on film anymore. And it had great writing. It appealed to both men and women. There’s a demographic there that wants to see more.
Would you do it again?
I’d definitely do it. The last time there were rumblings of a sequel, we were asked by our agents and were all quite keen to do it. The big problem is what to do with Helen’s character. She died in the final episode, so you couldn’t bring her back without being cheesy – maybe a twin, a changeling, an alien abduction. I’m up for it but it’s opening a can of worms. You’d be hard-pushed to match or better the quality.
What’s the worst job you’ve done?
Working on a chicken farm.* I had to carry six live hens from a lorry to a cage. They were going from battery to barn, which made things seem a bit fairer at the time but I was only 17; I wasn’t that worried about the welfare of the chickens. It was hellish, though. I’d go home covered in blood because they’d scratch your arms to pieces. I only did it for two days – my mum couldn’t stand the sight of it.*
What lessons has a career in showbiz taught you?
You earn respect from being personable, not a demanding diva type. You hear some stories about people and it baffles me how they remain in work. Humility and compassion are the most important things and I’ve tried to maintain them over the ups and downs of my career.
Have you read Simon Day’s autobiography?
I did. It’s fantastic. Simon’s quite quirky. There were times when I’d wonder why he was behaving in a certain way, so it was like being given an instruction manual. It was refreshing to read such an honest account of how a career in showbiz can have a dark side; how it can go wrong and how you can better yourself. We’ve known each other for years but I know him a lot better now. That’s how all autobiographies should be. I don’t want to read about all the marvellous parties people have been to and the awards they’ve won. I want to read: ‘I nearly choked on my own vomit and woke up with a black eye.’
Would you do one yourself?*
I can write half of one. All my demons have been out in the public arena so I’d happily discuss the rock’n’roll years. I started writing my autobiography but stopped because I thought I’d heard it all before. I’ll do it one day.
Would it be therapeutic? Absolutely. It’s all very well doing a book but I’d like something to launch it from. So maybe I’ll have to knuckle down and do a book and stand-up tour.
Have you ever had a supernatural experience?
I’ve had a few. I was driving in Manchester in the middle of the day and saw a building and there was a girl leaning out of the window with ashen skin, a black bob and blue cardigan. I said: ‘Look at her,’ to my wife but as we drove past, we saw* that the whole of the back of the* house had been demolished – only the* front façade was left, so there was no way anyone would have got up to that room. That was a bit creepy.
Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/tv/896314-john-thomson-id-definitely-do-another-series-of-cold-feet#ixzz1sHzUAeLM
returning for gail
https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/29946544/coronation-street-john-thomson-sean-wilson/
returning for gail
https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/29946544/coronation-street-john-thomson-sean-wilson/
Would have preferred a new guy for her.....
Would have preferred a new guy for her.....
jesse was eileen's man, gail could have a happy exit even without a man
jesse was eileen's man, gail could have a happy exit even without a man
Shame about Martin Platt not coming back... but then maybe sometime elderly folk find romance again and I really do not care as long as Helen Worth gets an exit she deserves... (tough holding my breath until Christmas!! Not liked Jesse's character when he was on Corrie first but if he has come to whisk Gail off to somewhere nice, I wish them both good luck in their new life :D
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