Coronation Street fans will be saying goodbye to builder Jason Grimshaw after the actor Ryan Thomas who plays him announced he is quitting the ITV soap - after 15 years in the role. 

The actor will quit the show next year "to pursue new challenges".

In a statement, he said: "It has been a great privilege to be in Coronation Street for the past 15 years. The cast and crew are amongst the best in the business and to have had the chance to be a part of it for so long has been an amazing experience.

"The decision to leave was an extremely difficult one but I felt that now was the right time to spread my wings and try other roles. I'm just excited now to see what exit storyline the writers give Jason."

 

Producer Stuart Blackburn paid tribute to Thomas and said his character will be at the heart of a big upcoming storyline.

 

Blackburn said: "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."

The star's final scenes will air on the ITV soap next summer.