Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Lucy Domachowski

Happy Valley star Rhys Connah confirms future of show in first interview since finale

Rhys Connah addressed speculation there will be a fourth series of Happy Valley during his first live TV interview earlier today.

The teenage actor, who played Ryan Cawood in the BBC crime drama, appeared on Loose Women to discuss Sunday night's gripping finale and reveal all about the future of Sally Wainwright's popular creation.

The 16-year-old actor appeared on Monday’s instalment of the ITV talk show looking a little anxious - with viewers rushing to social media to praise the young star during the broadcast.

The teen clutched his branded mug as Ruth Langsford thanked him for choosing their show for his first ever TV interview, telling him they were “honoured” to have him there.

Rhys explained that he’d taken the day off college to appear on the panel and that he was dreading going back in to his mates tomorrow who were sure to poke fun at him.

“I’m not looking forward to it. I know it’s going to be a lot of screenshots tomorrow,” he smiled nervously.

Talk then turned to if Rhys will ever reprise his role of Ryan in the BBC series.

"Sadly, there are no plans. I'm very sorry everyone," the teenager actor revealed live on Loose Women - dashing the dreams of millions of Happy Valley fans.

Happy Valley fans watched Rhys grow up on the BBC drama (BBC/Lookout Point)

Those tuned in to the ITV show today took to Twitter to swoon over the apprehensive star, praising him for his professionalism.

“What a lovely young man Rhys Connah is and he did brilliantly there considering that was his 1st ever tv interview,” one wrote.

“What a lovely, down to earth guy is #RhysConnah I think he has a very bright future ahead of him,” another penned.

“#RhysConnah was such a likeable character and an amazing actor. Hope he has a fantastic career ahead of him,” a third praised.

Rhys was just eight years old when he first appeared on the hit BBC crime drama, as season one aired back in 2014.

And the youngster made such an impression on creator Sally Wainwright, she waited eight years for a break between seasons two and three in order for actor Connah to grow older and then return to the story.

She previously told how she wanted character Ryan to be old enough to go places alone and make decisions about his life – including whether he wanted a relationship with his rapist father Tommy Lee Royce (James Norton).

Rhys was the focal point of the main storyline throughout the final season, playing the grandson of Sarah Lancashire's character Catherine Cawood.

He told the Loose Women panel how his mum would allow him to run downstairs to watch his scenes on TV before running back upstairs to wait again in order to shield him from the harrowing storylines.

The teen actor has been involved in some disturbing and tense moments since his acting debut in 2014, mostly thanks to his character being the son of the show's villain, Tommy Lee, who raped Catherine's daughter Becky and got her pregnant.

*Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV from 12.30pm

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.