'Coronation Street's Keith Duffy: 'Ciaran McCarthy will return'

Keith Duffy has insisted that he will return to his role on Coronation Street.

It had been reported that Duffy, who plays Ciaran McCarthy in the ITV1 soap, had decided to leave the show permanently to spend more time with his family.

The Boyzone star was rumoured to have been written out of Coronation Street in a "dramatic" Christmas storyline involving on-screen girlfriend Michelle Connor, played by Kym Marsh.

However, Duffy has since revealed on Twitter that while he has finished filming his most recent stint on the soap, his character won't be exiting Weatherfield for good over the festive period.

"Home in Dublin Finished today in Corrie for now," he wrote. "Will really miss all the Corrie guys, Love Yas buddies.Ciaran McCarthy Is alive and well and will return (sic)!"

Duffy recently praised his son Jay's performance on Hollyoaks, describing him as a "very natural" actor.