Coronation Street star Jude Riordan has been flooded with support after getting a ‘happy surprise’ that he and his family said they ‘didn’t expect’.

Fans will best know the young actor for playing Sam Blakeman in the ITV soap, having first appeared as the new character when he arrived in Weatherfield in 2020 as the son of Nick Tilsley and the late Natasha Blakeman.

He didn’t meet his father until he was nine years old, as Natasha and Nick had split up before Natasha knew she was pregnant. It was during a chance encounter at Weatherfield General in 2020 which resulted in Nick finding out that he had a son.

But just a year later, Nick became Sam’s sole parent after Natasha was tragically shot dead by gangster Harvey Gaskell in 2021 in a case of mistaken identity, as she wore the same Halloween costume as Sam’s then step-mum, Leanne Battersby.

And Jude made quite the impact during his debut in Corrie, as he went on to pick up the best newcomer gong at the National Television Awards in 2021.

Now, the soap star has revealed he’s been nominated for another award. Jude and some of his Corrie co-stars have been recognised in the Favourite Young Actor (under 18) category in the TV Times Awards 2025.

Alongside Isballa Flanagan (Hope Dobbs) and Molly Kilduff (Shanice Michaelis), the trio will go up against Emmerdale’s Amelia Flanagan, Hollyoaks’ Dan Hough, EastEnders’ Sonny Kendall, Adolescence’s Owen Cooper, Call the Midwife’s Francesca Fullilove, Ludwig’s Dylan Hughes and Protection’s Tilly Kaye.

Sharing the news on Instagram, Jude said: “To be in this category with all these for the 5th year is a happy surprise [face holding back tears emoji]. Thank you @tvtimesmagazine.”

His mum, Kellie, also shared the news, commented: “We didn’t expect this nomination. It’s lovely and @justjude7 is thrilled to be with his mates! Such a talented bunch of kids. Please give him a vote on the link.” His director dad, Paul, also added: “He is thrilled. Please give our @justjude7 a vote.”

TV fans can now vote in the TV Times Awards, with voting closing at 11.59pm on October 14.

It comes after Jue revealed his big win at the NTAs four years ago actually broke a record which has now been recognised by Guinness World Records.

Taking to Instagram, he shared a snap of his certificate and said: “‘Memories that I’ll still talk about when I’m a great grandad. Can you believe this even happened? @officialntas @joeldommett @coronationstreet.

“That night will be hard to beat, best night of my life so far! Thank you @guinnessworldrecords for sending my certificate, it’s going in a frame with my awards. It’s almost NTA time again so please vote all things CORRIE and please give Brassic a vote.”

The message on the certificate read: “The youngest winner at the National Television Awards is Jude Riordan (UK, b. 11 May 2011) who was 10 years old and 121 days old when he won Best Newcomer at the 26th National Television Awards (NTAs) in London, UK, on 9 September 2021.”