'Coronation Street' actor Derek Griffiths has quit the show after just one year.
Derek Griffiths
The 70-year-old actor joined the long running ITV soap in March 2016 as likeable mechanic Freddie Smith, but after just 12 months on the cobbles he has opted to pack his bags and move out as he's set to star in a stage production of 'Driving Miss Daisy' instead.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Derek has been a great asset to the soap and has thoroughly enjoyed the filming. He's looking to the future and can't wait to get stuck in with the play."
Freddie was first introduced on the soap as an "unlikely friend" for established character Kylie Platt, played by Paula Lane, who departed the show in July last year after the character was stabbed and killed in the street.
Freddie's life was thrown into turmoil before he even made his on-screen debut, as it was revealed his wife Sadie -an old and valued customer of the salon run by Audrey Roberts, played by Sue Nicholls - had passed away unexpectedly.
As of yet, it is unknown how Derek's character will leave the show, and whether or not the door will remain open for him to return in the future.
Previously, Derek had said he was proud to be following in the "hallowed footsteps" of one of his acting heroes Violet Carson, who played Ena Sharples on the soap.
He said: "I remember being a young boy and watching Violet Carson on Coronation Street. She was a brilliant character that people loved to hate, and later when I became an actor and played the villain in panto many times those are qualities I would bring to the role. When I came for my audition one of the first things I saw was a huge photo of Violet Carson on the wall. I am very much looking forward to walking in those hallowed footsteps."