Denise Welch is "saddened" by Chris Fountain's 'Coronation Street' sacking.
The 25-year-old actor was axed from the ITV soap after posting videos of himself rapping about rape and extreme violence on YouTube under the moniker of masked MC The Phantom, but the 'Loose Woman' panellist insists he is a "charming" and "likeable" guy.
Denise - who played Rovers Return landlady Natalie Barnes in 'Corrie' - said: "I was saddened to hear of Chris Fountain's fall from grace and his high-profile sacking from 'Coronation Street'. I knew Chris a little bit and have always found him to be a very charming, likeable kid. I often saw him at charity events, more often than not with his lovely mum who runs his fan club."
The 55-year-old actress admits the actor has been "stupid", but insists the raps - which feature lyrics about raping "a bitch on her birthday" - are not his own views.
She is quoted by the Daily Star newspaper: "I am as shocked and puzzled as the next person as to what on earth possessed him to post those vile rap videos on YouTube. I blame the rap culture and radio stations that continue to play hardcore rap.
"I'm pretty sure that Chris's real views were not reflected in these videos. But he has certainly paid a high price for his naivety and stupidity."
Chris - who played Tommy Duckworth on the soap - closed his Twitter account following backlash on the site and flew to the US with his former 'Corrie' co-star Ryan Thomas, who plays Jason Grimshaw.
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