Chris Fountain has been fired from 'Coronation Street' over his vile rap videos.
The 25-year-old actor recorded a song, with lyrics which glorified rape and violence, under the rap name The Phantom, over a year ago and when footage leaked online last week, ITV suspended him before terminating his contract today (19.04.13).
An ITV spokesperson told the Daily Mirror: "Chris Fountain's contract with ITV has been terminated as a result of the unacceptable comments he made in a number of online clips."
Show bosses have decided not to edit Chris out of episodes he has already filmed so his character, mechanic Tommy Duckworth, will appear on TV this week.
The former 'Hollyoaks' actor issued an immediate apology after the videos were made public, saying: "I would like to sincerely apologise for any offence I have caused.
"I am deeply ashamed by the lyrics and very much regret my behaviour.
"The videos were made over a year ago when I was experimenting with music and I've not done anything like it since, nor will I."
This is the latest controversy for 'Coronation Street' after Bill Roache was arrested in May over sexual assault claims and written out of the soap until the conclusion of his trial, leaving TV bosses to rewrite the "explosive" storylines which had been planned for his character Ken Barlow.
The shocking arrest came after Bill's fellow 'Corrie' star Michael Le Vell - who played mechanic Kevin Webster - was also written out of the show after being accused of 19 child sex charges.
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