Jason Callender is set to take on the role.
James Bailey arrived in Coronation Street in 2019, moving in with his parents and brother, Michael, and later being joined by his sister Dee-Dee.
Though James was aware of his sexuality, he was hesitant to be open about it for fear it might jeopardize his football career.
His time on the Street was relatively brief, and he left after three years. However, the character is making a return, though he’ll be portrayed a bit differently.
James Bailey comes out as gay
When James Bailey first moved to the Street, he kept his sexuality a secret, fearing how it might impact his football career.
James became central to a Coronation Street storyline tackling homophobia in football. This plot even saw his father, Ed Bailey, struggling to accept his son’s sexuality.
James faced homophobic abuse from fans and uncomfortable questions from his club manager. After being targeted on the Street, he almost confronted a fan physically.
In the end, James gained acceptance from his dad and teammates, and was promoted to Weatherfield County’s first team.
James experiences health scare
As James’ football career was on the rise, it all came to a sudden halt in 2021 when he collapsed during a charity football match.
His brother Michael quickly performed CPR to save him before he was rushed to the hospital. James was later diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and had to have an ICD fitted to prevent further cardiac arrests.
The incident led to him being dropped from the squad.
Romance with Danny and Corrie exit
Danny was a constant presence during James’ time on Corrie, initially as an ex-lover, then later as his boyfriend.
It was Danny who inadvertently outed James when he posted a message meant for James on social media, sharing it publicly instead of privately.
Eventually, Danny moved down south, which influenced James’ decision to leave. After losing his spot at Weatherfield County, James’ uncle Ronnie informed him that a youth centre near Lewisham was looking for a football coach.
Realizing it was close to where Danny lived, James eagerly took the opportunity and soon left town.
James Bailey to return to Coronation Street
Coronation Street has announced that James Bailey will be returning to the soap next week, though he will be portrayed by a new actor, Jason Callender.
It’s been revealed that James has been living in the US with Danny, but he’ll be rejoining family life when he returns to check on his pregnant sister, Dee-Dee.
Speaking about taking on the role, Jason expressed his excitement, saying: “James is driven—when he sets his mind to something, he gives it his all. As the younger brother, expect some playful pranks, but above all, he’s deeply devoted to his family and has a strong desire to become a dad.
“James brings warmth, love, charisma, and a touch of charm.”
Why was James Bailey recast?
James Bailey was originally portrayed by Nathan Graham. Although Nathan has not yet addressed whether he was invited back to the soap, it’s important to note that his decision to leave in 2022 was his own, so he might not be interested in returning to the role.
Reflecting on his departure from Coronation Street in 2022, Nathan shared: “I’m someone who lives in the moment and follows what feels right.
“Leaving was a difficult decision, but it felt like the right one. It was scary to move from a place of security to the unknown, but it was a risk I was willing to take. After speaking with Iain MacLeod, he understood my choice. I’ve had great storylines and while I wondered about the character’s future, I felt it was time to pursue something new for myself.”
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