Tom Pelphrey Coming Back to Guiding Light

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Though a Guiding Light spokesperson remains tight-lipped about the news, soapcentral.com has learned that Emmy winner Tom Pelphrey (Jonathan Randall) has returned to work on the show.

Tom Pelphrey Still
The first airdate is not yet known for Pelphrey's on-air return. But the actor has already taped his first scenes; they're expected scenes to air later this month. For now, Pelphrey's return is slated to be only short-term, with the actor once again exiting the show this fall.

Nevertheless, Pelphrey's return is apparently a big deal for the CBS soap. In September, Simon and Schuster will publish a book that chronicle's Jonathan's life after he staged his death. The book, "Guiding Light: Jonathan's Story" will be available from all major book retailers.

The release of a book surrounding a soap opera storyline is nothing new. As The World Turns, which, like Guiding Light, is also produced by Procter & Gamble, released a tell-all book, "Oakdale Confidential," last year.

Other soaps have also published books. All My Children's fictional Erica Kane (Susan Lucci) released a real-world autobiography, "Having It All" and One Life to Live featured a whodunnit story that was based on a book called "The Killing Club" that was penned by one of its characters.

General Hospital and Passions have also featured book tie-ins.

It's unclear at this time which came first: the idea for "Jonathan's Story" or Pelphrey's decision to return. It's also unknown right now whether or not the show would have recast Jonathan if Pelphrey had not agreed to return or if the book and storyline would have been scrapped.

Pelphrey joined the cast of Guiding Light in September 2004. He received a third consecutive Daytime Emmy nomination this year. In 2006, Pelphrey was named Outstanding Younger Actor.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.

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Guiding Light Quotes

Harley: Did you buy or seel any small countries today?
Gus: No, that's tomorrow at 4.

Thank you. My favorite kind of food - the kind that sweats in the bag before you open it.

Gus