Les Dennis has announced today (July 19) that he'll be leaving Coronation Street at some point later this year in a major storyline.
Credit: ITV
Dennis said of his decision: "As a lifelong fan of the show, playing Michael Rodwell in Coronation Street has been a dream come true. Becoming part of the ITV Coronation Street family has been a wonderful experience and my decision to leave was a hard one.
"Earlier this year, thanks to Coronation Street giving me a sabbatical from the show, I was thrilled to be able to produce and star in a sell-out production of Alan Bleasdale's Down the Dock Road at The Royal Court Liverpool. I always knew that the time would come when I would want the freedom to do more projects, and now feels like the right time.
"The talented team of writers and producers have come up with a very dramatic exit for Michael on the show which will be exciting to film. I'll treasure the two and a half years I have been part of such an iconic show and move on with very fond memories, so many lovely friends and colleagues and an ambition achieved.
Kate Oates, Corrie Producer added: "We're very sad to see Les leave Coronation Street as he's an enormously popular and talented actor. He's brought warmth, wit and integrity to the character of Michael. We have worked on giving him a great story to ensure a fantastic and dramatic end to his time on the Street. I can't wait to see it unfold! He will be very much missed and we wish him many successes with his new ventures."
Joining the cobbles in 2014 as house burglar Michael Rodwell, he initially began a relationship with Gail Platt after she forgave the man who had intended to steal from her home.
As their romance blossomed, Michael put his criminal past behind him and worked instead as a taxi driver for Steve MacDonald, but when he got married to Gail, the marriage only took a few hours to be truly shaken up.
Discovering Andy had been masquerading as his son Gavin, Michael was distraught when he found out Gail had lied to him and his real son Gavin was dead.
Then falling into the arms of Eileen, their relationship was also a short-lived affair, as she moved on to local villain Pat Phelan.
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