Coronation Street star Alex Bain has revealed a surprising new career move after quitting the cobbles.
The actor has played the role of Simon Barlow for over 15 years since he first joined the soap back in 2008.
We first told last year that Alex, 22, was leaving the ITV show and he already filmed his final scenes.
But now he has officially departed the cobbles, he is now reflecting on his time in the soap.
The star admitted that whilst he was on Coronation Street, the role had to come first.
“Yes there were a lot of things I couldn’t do, but Corrie was my job and had to come first,” … explained.
But now he has more time to do other things and complete other passions such as his penchant for dance.
He even admitted that he wants to start teaching and he is studying to complete the correct qualifications and training for it.
“I will always be a dancer and one day I would love to be a choreographer and teach dance and ultimately open my own dance and performance school,” he admitted.
“I am currently finally taking my ballet and modern intermediate exams that I should have done when I was 16. I need those qualifications to have a chance of teaching and doing choreography.
“Acting goes hand in hand with dancing though so hopefully I will be able to continue to do both.
“But dance is definitely my focus at the moment. I’d like to do a dance teaching course. I’ve been able to attend a full week’s worth of classes, which is something I haven’t been able to do for a while.”
He added: “It is an exciting time for me to start thinking about what is next.”
Although he’s excited for the future, he also admits he will miss his co-stars which he labelled as ‘family’.
When asked about his feelings when he found out his tenure was coming to an end, he explained: “I felt very positive about it.
“The show has been the backbone of my life but I am 22 now and maybe it is time to see what the future holds.
“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. That doesn’t take away the excitement and anticipation.
“With Chris going it felt like the obvious thing for Simon to follow his dad, Simon has been through so much and he was lost without his dad around.”
He added: “Simon heading off on his adventures means I can have new ones of my own.”
Coronation Street's shock exits 2024
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.
