Coronation Street fans are heartbroken this week after young star Jude Riordan, who has played the beloved Sam Blakeman since 2020, made an emotional announcement following his shocking exit from the show — and it’s safe to say viewers are absolutely gutted. 💔 The talented teen actor, who’s grown up on screen as the bright, sensitive son of Nick Tilsley and the late Natasha Blakeman, took to social media to confirm his departure and thank fans for their unwavering support. In a heartfelt message that left thousands in tears, Jude wrote, “It’s been an incredible journey playing Sam. Thank you to everyone who’s loved him as much as I have. This isn’t goodbye forever, but it’s time for me to spread my wings and take on new challenges.” Accompanied by behind-the-scenes photos of Jude with his co-stars, including Ben Price (Nick) and Jane Danson (Leanne), the post quickly went viral, amassing thousands of comments from devastated fans and castmates alike. One fan wrote, “Sam was the heart of the Street — I can’t imagine it without him,” while another added, “Jude has more talent in his little finger than most actors twice his age. We’ll miss him so much!” Jude’s exit comes after a powerful storyline that saw Sam finally come to terms with his mother’s death — a performance that earned Riordan widespread critical acclaim and multiple award nominations. His ability to convey deep emotion through such quiet, nuanced acting made him a fan favorite and one of the show’s most compelling young talents. According to insiders, Jude’s departure was a mutual decision between him and Coronation Street producers, who wanted to give the actor room to explore new opportunities outside the soap. “Jude has such a bright future ahead of him,” one source revealed. “He’s grown tremendously as an actor, and everyone at Corrie knows he’s destined for big things.” Though his character Sam wasn’t killed off, his final scenes were said to be emotional and filled with hope, leaving the door open for a future return. In his last episode, Sam was seen heading off to an academic program abroad — a bittersweet but fitting send-off for the clever, curious boy fans have adored for years. Off-screen, Jude also shared how grateful he is for the Corrie family that raised him. “I’ve learned so much from everyone — it’s been like having a second home,” he said in a short video message. “I’ll miss the cast, the crew, and the fans who’ve been there for every single story. Thank you for believing in Sam.” Cast members flooded his comments with love — Ben Price wrote, “Proud of you always, mate,” while Jane Danson added, “You’re going to do amazing things, Jude. Once a Street kid, always a Street kid.” Fans are now speculating what’s next for the rising star, with rumors swirling that he’s set to appear in a major BBC drama next year — though nothing has been officially confirmed. Whatever comes next, one thing is certain: Coronation Street won’t be the same without Jude Riordan’s warmth and quiet brilliance. As one fan perfectly summed it up: “From the first time we saw little Sam with his telescope, we knew he was special. Corrie won’t ever find another like him.”