Ryan Thomas is quitting 'Coronation Street'.
Ryan Thomas
The 31-year-old actor, who has played builder Jason Grimshaw for 15 years, has confirmed he's leaving the British soap next summer in a bid to carve out a career in Hollywood.
He said: "It has been a great privilege to be in 'Coronation Street' - the cast and crew are among the best in the business. To be a part of it for so long has been an amazing experience.
"The decision to leave was extremely difficult. I'm just excited now to see what exit storyline the writers give Jason."
Ryan recently told the show's bosses he felt it was "time to spread my wings" and "pursue new challenges."
Producer Stuart Blackburn paid tribute to the heartthrob and told the UK's Daily Mirror newspaper: "Ryan has been an important part of 'Coronation Street' for 15 years.
"We wish him every success when he moves on next year and we appreciate his desire to try new things.
"In the coming months he'll be at the heart of a massive story, affecting not just his family but the Websters and the Windasses too which will take us well into 2016."
Ryan, who has six-year-old daughter Scarlett with co-star and ex-girlfriend Tina O'Brien, recently hinted he was ready to move on.
Speaking at Pride of Britain Awards last week, he said: "Going to Hollywood is a dream so I'm going to see what happens.
"We can always dream. I've been on the show for 15 years now, I always pinch myself, I'm blessed."
Tagged in Ryan Thomas