Coronation Street actor Kevin Kennedy has been given the chop from the soap after 21 years because his character is no longer "useful".
Kennedy, who plays Curly Watts, will be written out this summer, as will his on-screen wife Emma, played by Angela Lonsdale.
"The backroom team have been split for a while over the usefulness of Curly’s character after 21 fantastic years on the Street," a source told The Sun today. "It’s not all over forever. If they can come up with a credible enough storyline, Curly could come back. But if that happens it’s highly likely he’ll be on his own again."
Kennedy, 41, insisted that the decision was a "mutual" one and that he could be back next year.
"I have been wanting to take some time to pursue some new exciting projects for a while now and this gives me the ideal opportunity," he said. "After so long in the Street I’m keen to spread my wings a bit. After discussions with Kieran we decided this would work for everyone concerned."
Lonsdale, who joined the soap in 2000, added: "I love working on Coronation Street but I feel the time is right to move on now."
Kennedy, who plays Curly Watts, will be written out this summer, as will his on-screen wife Emma, played by Angela Lonsdale.
"The backroom team have been split for a while over the usefulness of Curly’s character after 21 fantastic years on the Street," a source told The Sun today. "It’s not all over forever. If they can come up with a credible enough storyline, Curly could come back. But if that happens it’s highly likely he’ll be on his own again."
Kennedy, 41, insisted that the decision was a "mutual" one and that he could be back next year.
"I have been wanting to take some time to pursue some new exciting projects for a while now and this gives me the ideal opportunity," he said. "After so long in the Street I’m keen to spread my wings a bit. After discussions with Kieran we decided this would work for everyone concerned."
Lonsdale, who joined the soap in 2000, added: "I love working on Coronation Street but I feel the time is right to move on now."
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