Ben Price had to quit 'Coronation Street' for the "sake of his children."
Ben Price as Nick Tilsley
The 45-year-old actor has portrayed hot-headed businessman Nick Tilsley since 2009 - during which time his alter ego has been caught up in love triangles, scuffles and fallen victim to an intense brain injury - but has decided to bow out indefinitely because he wants to spend more time with his kids; Paloma and Maximillian.
Speaking to Inside Soap magazine, he explained: "I live a couple hundred miles away from Manchester, so the decision to go was based on wanting to spend more time with my wife and kids. I've agonised over it as I've had the best time of my career here, the best storylines and the best on-screen family.
"It's tough to leave that behind, but I've made this decision for the sake of my children - I need to go and see them more. It's a life choice, really."
And, although he'll miss his co-stars and the crew, the hunk has admitted he's pleased to be saying goodbye to his character because it's come to a "natural end."
He explained: "I feel as if I've done all I can with Nick. I've been in more than a thousand episodes and had a lot of big stories. It's as if I've come to a natural end, and it's time to say: 'Thank you, that was amazing.' It will be great to drive down that motorway to see my children and know I don't have to leave them again two days later."
Meanwhile, Ben has teased that, although he loves all the drama surrounding a big exit, he's pleased that he'll be able to incorporate such a wide range of emotions into his departure as he's left fighting for his life when he gets trapped in quicksand.
He said: "It's a very different kind of exit storyline. What pains Nick deep down is that his enemies Steve (McDonald, Simon Gregson) and Peter (Barlow, Chris Gascoyne) aren't as nasty as he is. While he's flailing in the quicksand, they try to rescue him but would Nick do the same for them? When Nick is pushed, he has the propensity to be more cutting and hurtful. He's a calculating man."
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