Coronation Street actor Charles Dale has decided to take a break from acting after 20 years.
The actor played Dennis Stringer on the cobbles from 2000 to 2002, and the character befriended Les Battersby before having an affair with his wife Janice. His exit from the soap came after the character died in a road accident after a near-miss with a drunk driver which caused his vehicle to careen down a hill.
Since appearing in Corrie, Charles also starred in Casualty from 2007 until 2016, where he played hospital porter MacKenzie "Big Mac" Chalker. The actor has also appeared in several dramas including Belonging in BBC Wales from 1999 to 2009, as well as A Touch of Frost, The Bill, New Tricks and The Pembrokeshire Murders.
READ MORE: ITV Coronation Street star Kimberly Hart-Simpson opens up about her pansexuality and private life
But now, he has taken a step back from acting to venture into a whole new, surprising career. Charles has announced he's temporarily swapping acting for politics and is now up for election in his local council. The 59-year-old was quick to say this isn’t the end for his acting career and he definitely isn’t retiring.
Taking to Twitter, he wrote: "Long story short, I am standing for election for my local council. Today a staff member from my local paper came into my shop (another long story, and no, I haven’t retired) and asked me if I wanted to pay £50 to have my name and contact details put in the paper alongside the other candidates. I said 'no thank you', now I don’t know about you, but I think that’s something a local paper should perhaps “report on” rather than charge for."
Fans were overjoyed that e was doing more to help his local community, and commented on the post. Goldstar said: "I would definitely vote for you. Your local council are lucky to have someone as fair minded and even handed standing. Very best of luck with it."
Bev said: "Well done you standing for election." Meanwhile, Margaret said: "Well done, hope it all goes well for you. Keep us informed how you are getting on. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you."
Receive newsletters with the biggest and breaking TV and showbiz news by signing up here
