Coronation Street’s recent episodes saw a big change with Bertie Osbourne that was spotted by ITV soap viewers, at a time where his dad Daniel Osborne is sparking concern
Fans of Coronation Street were quick to notice Bertie Osbourne has been recast(Image: ITV)
Fans of Coronation Street were quick to notice Bertie Osbourne has been recast, with a new actor playing the role this week.
Previous actor Rufus Morgan-Smith, who at one point shared the role with his twin brother, played Bertie until early 2026. When Bertie reappeared for the first time in weeks this week, fans were quick to realise a new actor was in the role.
Henry Duggan made his soap debut in recent episodes, and on Thursday and Friday he featured in scenes with his father Daniel Osbourne. Now, some fans think there’s a reason linked to an upcoming storyline that may explain the recast.
It’s not unusual in soaps for young actors to replaced for various reasons as a character gets older. As a character begins to take centre stage, bosses want to ensure the youngster in the role is the right fit for a storyline, and sometimes younger cast decide to leave.
READ MORE: Coronation Street lines up Megan’s ‘retribution’ – but she may evade justiceREAD MORE: Coronation Street’s Jodie and Daniel set for plot ‘no one will see coming’
Coronation Street’s recent episodes saw a big change with Bertie Osbourne(Image: ITV)
Viewers are wondering if the recast is happening now because Daniel is set to take on a big storyline of his own. Other fans were shocked by the move, surprised to see a new actor in the role without a warning.
Fans now think it’s a sign that Bertie is about to be onscreen more, and he could feature heavily in Daniel’s new storyline that sees his mental health spiral. He recently found out his girlfriend Megan Walsh had groomed and sexually abused a teenage student, Will Driscoll.
Not only that, but she had fallen pregnant. In the fallout, Daniel has not only struggled with the truth about Megan, but the fear of people blaming him for not seeing the signs, or perhaps being in on it.
On Friday we saw him lashing out and it terrified poor Bertie who ran to his room. After, Daniel dropped Bertie off at his father Ken Barlow’s home so Bertie could stay there, while he took a trip to the Lakes.
Daniel Osborne is sparking concern(Image: ITV)
Of course viewers soon realised Daniel wasn’t going anywhere, and he instead returned to his flat, shut the curtains and pretended he wasn’t home. Hitting the booze, it was clear Daniel was shutting out the world and struggling in silence.
It’s now been revealed by Corrie boss Kate Brooks where this plot is going, as spoilers reveal that next wee, he’s caught out. Kate told The Mirror: “He met somebody who’s on the same page as a teacher, apparently respectable, and he’s been completely duped by it, and it completely makes him unravel.
“Rob Mallard who plays Daniel is such a phenomenal actor and we’ll see him slowly start to lose it, because of wondering who to trust. He’s been bitten so badly by this relationship, and by the fact that he was the one who defended her as well, he feels like he’s let Will down.
“He feels like he’s let Bertie down. We’re really going to chart the impact she’s had on him and his life and his attitude to relationships going forward.”
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