Coronation Street star Jack James Ryan says Jacob is "devastated" in new story

Coronation Street spoilers follow.

Coronation Street star Jack James Ryan has shared more details of the trouble ahead for his character Jacob Hay as he's drawn back into criminal activity.

Viewers have seen Jacob work to turn his life around over the past 12 months after his previous involvement in drug dealing.

Jacob's hard work to redeem himself could all be destroyed next week, as his father Damon forces him to slip back into his old ways.

With Jacob now working at the Bistro, Damon warns him to look out for a package of drugs hidden away in a delivery from the restaurant's new fruit and veg supplier.

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Discussing Jacob's reaction, Jack explained: "He's literally devastated, but everything happens really quickly and Jacob realises he's in way too deep from the offset.

"There isn't a way out of this and in a weird way I think he does want to protect his dad as well. He doesn't want his dad to go down so he's between a rock and a hard place where he realises he's going to have to do this to protect him. Even though Damon has never done anything to protect Jacob, he feels that responsibility now.

"It all just happens so quickly, he doesn't have the time to process it, he just wants to find a way out that won't affect anyone, including his dad."

ITV

On the possible consequences for Jacob's relationship with Amy Barlow, Jack continued: "I think this is the hardest thing for him. He loves Amy, he's absolutely besotted with her, she's his whole world and he's just absolutely devastated.

"He's been introduced to the Barlows, spent time in their home, seen how amazing Steve and Tracy are together – even though they're a bit unconventional, they love each other.

"So the thought of them all finding out that he's back into drugs when they've given him such a chance is gutting. He knows it will be devastating for Amy and for the whole family because they've given given him such a chance. It's been a journey for them to trust him which makes this so hard."

ITV

When the drugs drama at the Bistro goes wrong, Damon cruelly tries to pin the blame on Jacob and encourages him to leave Weatherfield if he wants to keep Amy safe.

Asked whether he'd like Jacob to clear his name, Jack replied: "Definitely. Jacob absolutely adores Amy and this is the hardest thing he's ever had to do in his life but when you love someone so deeply, sometimes what you have to do is let them go.

"Jacob will not risk Amy getting hurt or anything bad happening to the Barlows. Even Nick and Leanne – Jacob has got to a place where he has a lot of respect for them even if they haven't for him and he doesn't want to be the reason that anybody gets hurt."

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.