Coronation Street newcomer Jason Callender has teased that his character James Bailey is set for a romantic connection that will come as a big surprise to viewers.

James returned to Weatherfield back in March, as part of Dee-Dee’s birth storyline – with actor Jason taking over the role from Nathan Graham, who departed the role in 2022.

After Dee-Dee give birth to baby Laila, she decided that she wanted US-based James and his partner, Danny, to raise her daughter away from the cobbles.

In emotional scenes that aired this month, James waved goodbye to the Street with Laila, while Dee-Dee watched on tearfully from a distance.

But it seems as though James hasn’t left town for good, as the character is set for an exchange that will leave fans stunned.

“James is going to have a romantic encounter,” Jason exclusively told Inside Soap. “It’s someone that the audience will not see coming. When I found out, I was so excited. I was like, ‘I don’t even know if we can do this!'”

On screen so far, James has mostly interacted with his close family unit – Ed, Ronnie, Michael and Dee-Dee – but the ex-Silent Witness actor has also admitted that he would love the opportunity to film with one Corrie legend in particular.

“I’d love to do a scene with Rita!” he said. “She’s an absolute legend. I see James and Rita on a cruise ship, sipping mojitos and putting the world to rights! She’s got so much life experience. Everyone needs a bit of life advice from Rita, and she would put everything in perspective for James.”