Coronation Street actor Reece Dinsdale is to quit the ITV soap and will make his exit in a dramatic storyline.
Dinsdale, who plays Gail Platt's partner Joe McIntyre, will be killed off in a plot linked to his character's addiction to prescription drugs.
According to reports, ITV bosses offered Dinsdale more money to stay in the Weatherfield soap having only been on screen for a year.
However, the actor wanted to leave sooner rather than later to avoid being typecast.
A source said: "Reece has been a massive hit and top brass thought they could strike a long-term deal. He was offered a massive pay rise but he turned it down.
"Executives were surprised. They wanted him to but he's wriggled off the hook."
A Street spokesman said his exit will be "one of the most dramatic story lines this year". They added: "We wish Reece all the best."