A CORONATION Street serial killer is making his soap comeback 13 years after terrifying soap fans with his murder spree.
The actor behind the character, who starred on the ITV Cobbles from 1998 until 2011, is back on the small screen this month.
Graeme Hawley, 50, is making a transition from Weatherfield to the hospital setting in his new role on the BBC soap Doctors. Known for his portrayal of John Stape, who shocked fans with his dramatic shift from high school teacher to one of Coronation Street’s most notorious characters, Hawley will appear as Jason Chapman in an upcoming episode. Observant soap fans can catch him in a 28-minute segment titled Sucker Punch, which focuses on the treatment of a rape survivor named Erika. Details about his specific storyline and the duration of his appearance in the series are yet to be revealed.
Aside from Corrie, Graeme has also acted in Benidorm, National Treasure, Casualty and Love and Marriage.
STAPE SHOCK
Corrie’s John Stape transformed from a teacher who had an affair with student Rosie Webster to one of the show’s most infamous characters. During his storyline, he was involved in the deaths of three fellow cast members and even kidnapped Rosie, portrayed by Helen Flanagan. After Colin Fishwick died in front of him, John hid his body and later took drastic measures against Charlotte Hoyle when she attempted to blackmail him over the incident.
John then accidentally smothered Colin’s mother to death as he confessed the truth.
He played the ex-teacher for four years after joining the cast on the cobbles in 2007 and was nominated for Villain of the Year in 2009 at the Soap Awards.
He was again nominated for the same award in 2011 after his murderous storyline came to a dramatic end with his suicide – which kept the nation hooked.
Yet his character is parent to Fiz’s daughter Hope, who remains on the show.
FRESH ROLE
We previously reported that actor Graeme took a break from the small screen after facing challenges in securing acting roles. During this time, he found a new source of income by helping out at his friend’s Christmas market stall.
At that time, Graeme, who is married to Where the Heart Is star Elianne Byrne, mentioned he was helping a friend who owned Chilli Jam Man. The father of two humorously remarked, “I’m not the Chilli Jam Man. I’m the Chilli Jam Man’s mate, and I’m selling Chilli Jam because the Chilli Jam Man’s late.”
