Rex Features
The 26-year-old, who played Jamie Mitchell until 2005, will apparently play a new character called Duane Howe in his first major TV role for several years.
"Jack has been through the mill with the end of his marriage," a source told the Sunday Mirror.
"This is a great opportunity and he's keen to get his teeth stuck into a big project to take the focus off his personal life."
Ryder split with wife Kym Marsh in March after six years.
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