Ryan Thomas turned down a 'Coronation Street' return this year.
Ryan Thomas
The former cobbles star, who played Jason Grimshaw on the ITV soap for 16 years, was asked back for the show's 60th anniversary next month but he "wasn't around" so couldn't reprise his role in Weatherfield.
He said: "They did ask me back, but I was away at the time. I was away or something was going on.
"I just wasn't around at the time otherwise I would have been there."
Despite being unable to return to the show, Ryan admitted the programme still has a special place in his heart, and it is "absolutely amazing" to see how far the soap has come in 60 years.
Speaking to the Daily Star newspaper's Hot TV column, he added: "The show has a place close to my heart. I’m honoured I could be a part of it for so long.
"It has been a massive part of a lot of people's lives. Even the theme tune!"
In April, Ryan's on-screen 'Corrie' mum Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw) admitted she had been "badgering" the former 'Neighbours' star to return to the cobbles.
She said: "I'd love Ryan Thomas [Jason Grimshaw] to come back and I do keep badgering him all the time.
"But he's become a social media influencer and he's just had another baby, who I haven't met yet because we are in lockdown.
"But I'll be on his case for the rest of eternity, though."
This comes after Ryan's on-screen brother Todd Grimshaw returned to Weatherfield earlier this year, with 'Stella' star Gareth Pierce replacing Bruno Langley in the role.
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