CORONATION Street fans have been desperate to see this star make a return to our screens.
Leaving the series after 23 years, it was long-teased that the character would make his way back to Weatherfield in the near future.
However, Chris Gascoyne – who played Peter Barlow – has announced his next big project will be on the stage rather than the cobbles.
He will join the cast of Pinocchio at Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre this December, playing the evil Stromboli in the annual pantomime.
The show will run from December 7 through to January 19, 2025.
He will be joined by Billy Pearce who will star as Gepetto in the family favourite.
On the announcement, Chris said: “I’m looking forward to joining the cast and crew of Pinocchio and I’m so excited to meet the lovely people of Bradford this Christmas.”
Chris was last seen playing Peter on Corrie in 2023, exiting the show in an emotional Boxing Day goodbye to his wife Carla and son, Simon.
His character was offered the chance to start a new life after months of grappling with his alcoholism, his struggling marriage, and accidentally running over serial killer Stephen Reid.
He was last seen boarding a tram on his way to work on a boat, seeing the world in the process.
The soap star addressed the question while speaking to BBC News and said: “Of course I’ve not ruled [a return] out, it’s been such a part of my life.”
“I’ve grown up with so many people there but I need a rest and to look to do something different, I’m not getting any younger.”
Chris added: “The thing that upset me though was walking away from the people I work with and I don’t just mean the actors. I’ve known all these people for nearly half my life.”
Fans thought that he might make a return in line with the planned exit of his on-screen son Simon, played by Alex Bain.
Like his dad, Simon has turned to alcohol to deal with his own life pressures – something that will be taken advantage of in the near future.
He is soon to be taken under the wing of cult leader Rowan, who offers him “some direction in life”.
Following on from the chat, Rowan manages to talk Simon into joining the retreat in a bid for him to find a purpose in life.
Toyah and Nick are beyond desperate for him not to go and they bemoan the thought of him being corrupted.
Will he go through with it, or will he find another direction to go down?
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 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, portrayed by Peter Ash, 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 Eileen Grimshaw is taking a break to star in the Sister Act The Musical UK tour.
She’s had to leave the Street immediately after her son Jason broke his back after falling off a moped in Asia. She will be back filming in May once her dates on the tour come to an end.
