Bill Tarmey: 'I feel helpless for my son'

Coronation Street star Bill Tarmey has opened up about his son's cancer battle, after revealing that it was one of the main reasons behind him leaving the show.

The actor left the Street last year when his character Jack Duckworth died of a heart attack. He has since said that he felt the need to be at home with his family.

Speaking to The People about his son Carl's brain tumour, he said: "Absolutely bloody helpless, that's how I feel. And it's the only way I can describe it. This is my son and I can do nothing to help make him better. I'm used to being the one who fixes ­problems.

"I can't fix it and it breaks my heart. He's my son and I should be able to help but I can't. I've been working with charities since I was 17 - I've done hundreds of charity events over the years. But I never once thought my son would be affected by something like this. It's changed everything."

On Friday, Bill recreated a 2004 Coronation Street storyline by dressing in drag as Ida Fag, this time to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.

"There is nothing I can do to make the tumour go away but I can help raise awareness. And if I can raise ­awareness then that's great," he added.

The report adds that doctors have given Carl between one and five years to live.