Notts-born Coronation Street star Chris Gascoyne is saying goodbye to the cobbles of Weatherfield for a new role. The Huthwaite actor has played Peter Barlow in the soap for 23 years although he's been missing from the soap for several weeks.
The 55-year-old, whose storylines during his 23 years on screen, have included affairs, alcoholism, bigamy, being framed for murder and undergoing a liver transplant, is heading south and swapping TV for the stage. He has been signed up to star in panto in St Albans, Hertfordshire.
He will feature as baddie Captain Hook in The All New Adventures of Peter Pan at the Alban Arena. In an announcement shared on social media, the venue wrote: "EXCITING PANTO NEWS. The Alban Arena are delighted to announce Coronation Street Legend Chris Gascoyne will star as Captain Hook in The All New Adventures of Peter Pan this pantomime season!
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"This promises to be our most spectacular pantomime yet with stunning sets, dazzling costumes, and a star-studded cast, this is a must-see show for the whole family. Don't miss your chance to experience the wonder and excitement of Neverland once more in Paul Hendy's pantomime sequel!"
Fans were overjoyed with the news, according to Birmingham Live. One wrote: "Nah Corrie are too funny saying that Peter has been on a boat for 3 months when he’s playing a literal pirate."
A second said on Twitter: "The whole Carter fandom going to St Albans Arena in December! That's the Chris Gascoyne effect."
Chris first appeared in Corrie in 2000. He left in 2003 but returned four years later. He left again in 2008 but signed a permanent contract and remained in the soap until 2012. In 2014, he left the role again but returned to the soap in 2016.
The door will be left open for the soap star to return to the role. A source claimed: "Chris has decided to take an extended break from the soap. He loves working at Coronation Street but he's got a lot of things he wants to do and the time is right for him to take a break and pursue other roles" reported the Mirror.
According to the source, who spoke to The Sun, his decision to leave the soap "isn't a final goodbye" and the door is "left open" for him. His exit storyline has yet to be confirmed.
