Coronation Street icon Charles Dale has announced he has split from his wife and is going through a divorce.
The actor, who played Dennis Stringer on the ITV soap and Big Mac on Casualty, shared the sad news on Twitter alongside a picture of himself on a rooftop garden in Tenby, Wales which overlooked the sea.
He wrote: "So, 60 today (WTF), unemployed, skint, going through a divorce (fine but tricky), but thanks to the generosity of my family and friends, feeling not too shoddy.
"In fact, one might say, downright chipper! Can’t think why, can you?"
Charles usually keeps his family life private and it is the first time he has spoken about his split from his wife, who he has never named.
Fans encouraged Charles to remain positive, with one person writing: "Happy birthday mate. Keep grinding, if we’re moving forwards, we’re winning x"
Another said: "Happy Birthday. A new chapter in your future. If you do it right, the end of the book can be the most exciting and satisfying!! Have a lovely, lovely day, lovely Charlie!"
A third fan encouraged: "Keep the faith Charles," to which Charles replied: "Never in doubt."
News of Charles' divorce and admission that he is "unemployed" and "skint" comes just months after he revealed he had made a huge career change and become a local councillor in Tenby.
The actor also helps out with his family's record store business.
Charles appeared on Coronation Street from 2000 until 2002.
His character was part of a number of massive storylines and was involved in an affair with Les Battersby's wife Janice.
Charles' character Dennis was killed off the soap after being involved in a car accident with a drunk driver.
Charles later went on to play Big Mac, an Emergency Care Assistant, on Casualty. He stayed on the show from November 2007 until June 2016.
The actor also made appearances in The Bill, A Touch of Frost, The Pembrokeshire Murders and Holby City.
* Follow Mirror Celebs on Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter and Facebook .
