Coronation Street’s Ben Price has quit his role as Nick Tilsley.
Nick is right at the centre of the show’s latest explosive story and it’s been confirmed the baby triangle will be linked to his departure from the cobbles.
Speaking of his decision to leave the soap, Ben told The Mirror:
“Coronation Street has been the most significant part of my career and I have had a fantastic seven years here.
“The decision to leave is purely personal – I want to be able to spend more time with my family.
“I have been supported by a terrific cast and crew and have had the most glorious storylines and for that I am most grateful.”
Read more: Who’s returning to Corrie?
Nick is currently caught in the middle of the Leanne/Steve baby storyline, as well as battling Leanne’s ex, Peter, to be a dad to young Simon.
In real life, Ben is father to two kids – Paloma, who’s 10, and Max, seven, and he commutes from his home in London to work on Corrie.
It’s not been revealed how Nick will leave – or whether he’ll depart the Street in one piece or in a body bag, but we do know Nick will be on our screens until the summer.
The terrible truth about who’s the daddy of Leanne’s baby is set to have huge ramifications throughout Weatherfield, with grieving Michelle, who lost her own baby with Steve at 23 weeks, set to be fuming at the revelation.
Read more: Michelle and Steve on the road to divorce
With a rift forming between Nick and Leanne, can they overcome this latest setback to their relationship?
The character of Nick, Gail’s eldest son with Brian Tilsley, has been in the show since his birth in 1981.
Ben took over the role in 2009 from Adam Rickett who had left in 2004.
The loss of her son – whether he leaves or dies – is set to cause more heartache for Gail.
But with months of secrets, lies, twists and turns still to come, it’s set to be a juicy end for the popular character.
Speaking of Ben’s decision to go, executive producer Kieran Roberts said:
“We fully respect Ben’s decision to leave Coronation Street.
“As Nick he has been at the centre of some of the biggest plots of the last seven years.
“He is a valued member of the cast who will be greatly missed but we still have many months of great storylines with him leading to his dramatic exit later this year.”
We almost can’t bear to watch now we know what’s coming.