Chris Gascoyne to leave Peter Barlow role in Coronation Street

Chris Gascoyne is leaving his role as Peter Barlow in Coronation Street.

It is understood that the actor has decided to leave the soap to pursue other roles, with the door being left open for him to return in the future.

His departure is being viewed as an ‘extended break’ by show bosses.

The character of Peter has appeared in the Granada-produced serial on and off since birth 1965, with Gascoyne taking over the role that had been played by six previous actors in 2000.

The actor has had several previous breaks from the role, his most recent stint commencing in 2016.

Storylines have seen Peter married five times, including bigamously to Shelley Unwin (Sally Lindsay). In further ‘love rat’ antics, he had an affair with Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan) whilst married to Carla Connor (Alison King).

Other plots have focused on Peter’s troubled relationship with son Simon – who was placed in his custody after the death of his mum Lucy in 2008 – and his battles with alcoholism.

The actor will be starring as Captain Hook in Peter Pan this Christmas at The Alban Arena.