Coronation Street star Charlie de Melo has shared his next exciting project following his emotional exit as Imran Habeeb from the ITV soap.
The 32-year-old actor , who joined the cobbles back in 2017, bowed out of the soap earlier this year after a serious car accident led his character to suffer a fatal heart attack.
Imran and wife Toyah Battersby were left fighting to survive after their car collided with scaffolding.
Although Imran managed to save Toyah and was conscious during the accident's immediate aftermath, he ultimately collapsed while his wife was rushed to hospital.
Actor Charlie has now confirmed he has landed a role outside soapland in a new theatre production, sharing the exciting news with his fans on Thursday.
He explained: “When I first announced to my (utterly bewildered) parents, about 1000 years ago, that I wanted to make a try at being an Actor, my Mum (presumably after the shock and disappointment had worn off) gave me three provisos, if this was the path I wished for myself.
“Three things she wanted for my life and career. Very pleased to say that, as of today, I've ticked the second off that list.
“This theatre, with this material, with this combination of people involved. I can't wait to get started,” alongside a love heart emoji.
Charlie will be starring in the Alan Bennett play The Clothes They Stood Up In at the Nottingham Playhouse, alongside a cast including Sophie Thompson, Adrian Scarborough and Natasha Magigi.
Charlie thanked his fans for their "humbling" support following his emotional exit as Imran Habeeb earlier this year after his final scenes air.
Charlie reflected on his five years on Coronation Street in a touching message on Twitter.
"It's been an absolute joy reading through all of your messages tonight," the actor wrote. "It's been a strange day for me, one that's been hanging over my head for a long time.
"But for my time [on Coronation Street] to have made an impact and mattered *at all* to so many of you, is... Warming, it's humbling, it's so very, very lovely."
Paying tribute to the wider Coronation Street family, Charlie added that he is "proud" to be joining the "ranks of the [soap’s] alumni".
"I have too many to thank and too little time (in this or any life) to adequately do so, but for what it's worth, I'm so grateful for you all," he continued.
"I am proud to now join the ranks of the alumni. I'm in extraordinary company."
