A CORRIE star has traded the cobbles to tread the boards just months after his emotional exit.
Alex Bain played Peter Barlow’s wayward son, Simon, for more than 15 years, joining the street at the age of six years old.
But he felt it was time to move on after outgrowing the street.
He had spent more than a third of his life playing Simon, so at age of 22 decided to explore other opportunities.
Simon’s exit storyline involved him going increasingly off the rails as he started drinking and losing his way in life.
His father, Peter, left Weatherfield to go and work on a boat after struggling with his mental health in the aftermath of killing Stephen Reid, in a horror car crash.
His departure triggered Simon’s just months later, with Alex saying: “Simon has been through so much and he was lost without his dad around.
“Simon heading off on his adventures means I can have new ones of my own.”
He added: “It isn’t just a job, you become part of a family and I will always have those people in my life. They aren’t just colleagues, they are friends. Obviously anybody leaving feels sad about saying goodbye to people but any sadness is a small part of it.”
Speaking to Metro, he said: “I felt very positive about it, but I am 22 now and maybe it is time to see what the future holds.”
And now it is clear what his future holds in the short term.
As Christmas approaches he will play the part of Dandini in the pantomime Cinderella at King George’s Hall in Blackburn.
Alex said on his Instagram: “I’m so excited to announce that I will be in pantomime this year at the wonderful King George’s hall in my home town of Blackburn.
“Thanks to the amazing Shone Productions for the opportunity to get into the Panto spirit again.”
He also added a shout-out to co-star Callum Arnott, who has previously had guest roles in Coronation Street on several occasions. “@callumarnott76 I can’t believe we’re back doing this again together after so long.”
However, leaving the soap after so many years was emotional.
Corrie has said goodbye to several cast members this year. Let's break down who's left the famous soap:
Eliza Woodrow (Savannah Kunyo) has said farewell to Corrie to start a new life in Germany.
The youngster moved to live with her dad Dom Everett, who went back on the £10,000 bribe Eliza’s grandfather Stu had offered to keep him out of her life.
Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) will bow out of the soap this summer when he loses his fight with motor neurone disease (MND) in tragic scenes.
After being diagnosed last year, the fan favourite was devastated to learn he only had months left to live.
Viewers know he is planning to take his own life to end his suffering.
Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) departed the cobbles after being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to study in America.
Though she struggled to decide with her stepdad Paul’s impending death from MND, she was convinced she had to live her life to the full.
Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) has struggled with the sudden departure of his father Peter from the cobbles.
The Weatherfield legend left his family and loved ones behind on Boxing Day, 2023, when his wife Carla Connor encouraged him to travel around the world with a friend.
Simon’s been on a downward spiral ever since and his exit could end in tragedy.
Alya Nazir is set to leave the cobbles as actress Sair Khan prepares to go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her first child.
It looks likely she’ll be heading to Dublin after securing a lucrative new job, leaving her colleague and fling Adam Barlow behind.
Show stalwart Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw, is taking a break to star in the Sister Act The Musical UK tour. She will be back filming in May once her dates on the tour come to an end.
Her character left the Street after her son Jason broke his back after falling off a moped in Asia.
He told the Metro he would miss friends who have become like family, as he grew up with them, since joining as a six-year-old.
He said: “At that age, you don’t realise the enormity of what it means to be joining one of the longest running shows in the world and be part of the family that was in the first episode in 1960.”
He said he would miss his colleagues who have become like family to him.
In particular he shared a touching memory of the late Anne Kirkbride, who played Deidrie Barlow.
He said she was so kind and helpful, she looked at me after the scene and said “you will go far,” That has always stayed with me.’
Coronation Street is on ITV Monday, Tuesdays and Wednesdays on ITV1.
