Coronation Street actor Jack P. Shepherd bequeathed thousands in last will of NZ fan

Coronation Street actor Jack P. Shepherd received thousands after a Kiwi fan left him 10% of his estate in his will. Photo / Getty Images

Despite not knowing him personally, a now deceased Kiwi fan had so much admiration for popular UK soap actor Jack P. Shepherd that he decided to leave him £5000 ($10,990) in his will.

Shepherd, who plays the character of David Platt in the long-running TV drama Coronation Street, explained the unusual windfall on “Coro” co-stars Ben Price and Colson Smith’s podcast On The Sofa.

Shepherd has played David Platt on the show since he was 12. Photo / Supplied

An Instagram Q&A in 2018 with co-star Julia Goulding, who plays Platt’s wife Shona, first revealed that it was an unnamed Kiwi postman who left Shepherd the funds.

“From New Zealand, a fan. Died, and gave me 10% of his estate, which was five grand. So cheers,” the now 37-year-old said.

Price, who plays Shepherd’s on-screen brother in Coronation Street, told his co-star on the podcast he wasn’t sure whether to believe him or not when he heard the news.

“I was convinced that it was a scam and I said, ‘I hope you’re getting scammed’,” Price then implying he’d be jealous if it was genuine.

Shepherd went on to reveal that he used the money to take his family on an overseas trip to Florida.

Earlier in the podcast, the trio of actors had discussed some of the gifts and fan mail they’d received over the years, including explicit letters from fans.

Shepherd first joined Coronation Street in April 2000, taking over the role of David from Thomas Ormson at 12 years old.

He’s been at the centre of many major Coro Street storylines, including the murder of his first wife Kylie and his time in prison after being framed for stealing money.

Shepherd told Inside Soap in 2022 that he loved working with the cast and crew, saying he would be “silly to leave” the job he enjoys every day.

The actor also recently announced his engagement to his long-term girlfriend Hanni Treweek during a romantic safari holiday in the Serengeti.

The actor took to their Instagram to reveal their happy news in June 2024.

He isn’t the first actor to be bequeathed a large monetary sum by a fan, either.

One Charles Bronson superfan left The Great Escape legend nearly US$300,000 ($529,000) in her will. Relatives later claimed the fan, Louisville woman Audrey Knauer, was not of sound mind when she made the will.