Entertainment

Teen Corrie star Ben Thompson (Ryan Connor) to leave

Coronation Street actor Ben Thompson (who plays Ryan Connor) will leave the cobbles when his character goes to university in Scotland, soap bosses have confirmed.

The plot device will allow the actor to come back intermittently, but Thompson's contract will not be getting renewed.

An ITV spokesman confirmed: "Ryan is going to university but is still very much a part of his mother Michelle Connor's life, and there are plans to see him in future episodes when he returns to Weatherfield on breaks from university."

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The source denied claims that the character has been "axed" by new producer Phil Collinson, saying he will be paid episode by episode.

Thompson, 18, has played Ryan for four years. His onscreen mother is played by Kym Marsh.

The news of his departure is the latest in a long line of exits from the hit soap in recent months, as some quit and others will be forced to when key characters will be are killed off when a tram crashes on to the cobbles to mark the show's 50th anniversary in December.