Matthew Ashford brings Jack back to Salem

Matthew Ashford brings Jack back to Salem

Fan favorite Matthew Ashford will reprise the role of Days of our Lives' Jack Deveraux this summer. Ashford made his DAYS debut in 1987, and is also known for roles on One Life to Live and General Hospital.

Two-time Emmy nominee Matthew Ashford (Jack Deveraux) is returning to Days of our Lives.

NBC has not officially commented on Ashford's return to Salem, but the actor has confirmed that he will report to work later this month. Days of our Lives has been taping about two months ahead of scheduled airdates, so that would put Ashford's on-screen return sometime in late June or early July.

"I wish to make an announcement. I am happy to report that I will be returning to NBC's Days of our Lives as the character of Jack Deveraux sometime later this month," a message on Ashford's Facebook page read. "[I] do not know any real specifics but look forward to this opportunity to play Jack and work with old and new friends."

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Fans have been lobbying for Ashford to reprise his DAYS role, one that he's been playing off and on since 1987, since it was announced last summer that his on-screen wife, Melissa Reeves (Jennifer Horton) would be returning to the show. In July 2010, there were reports that Ashford would be returning to DAYS by the end of the year, but that return never materialized.

Sources promise a big story for Ashford, which seemingly would involve his estranged wife's budding relationship with the handsome Dr. Daniel Jonas.

Ashford last appeared on Days of our Lives in April 2007. During his tenure with DAYS, Ashford received an 2003 Outstanding Supporting Actor Emmy nomination, and a Lead Actor nod in 2006.

In addition to his work on Days of our Lives, Ashford has also appeared as Tom Hardy on General Hospital and as Cagney McCleary on Search For Tomorrow. He also appeared twice on One Life to Live -- but as two different characters. In the early 1980s he played Drew Ralston, and in 2003 and 2004 he starred as the murderous Stephen Haver. He also appears in the web series, The Bay.

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