Ryan Thomas quits Coronation Street for Hollywood

The actor, who has played builder Jason Grimshaw on the ITV soap for over 15 years has revealed that it’s time to “spread his wings” and move onto other ventures.

Ryan said, “It has been a great privilege to be in Coronation Street for 15 years…The decision to leave was an extremely hard one”. To be part of it for therefore long has-been a wonderful experience.

Ryan added: “I’m just excited now to see what exit storyline the writers give Jason”.

The actor, who also shares a daughter with co-star and former girlfriend Tina, is keeping optimistic about the possibility of a career Stateside, though reiterated how happy he was to have had such a prosperous career in Coronation Street.

Ryan’s final scenes will be shown next year – but will he still be in the country to watch them?

He said he has made a decision to leave the long-running soap in order to “pursue new challenges”.

“We can always dream”.

But Ryan isn’t the first star from the soap to want to hit the big time across the pond.

Meanwhile Coronation Street executive producer, Stuart Blackburn, has praised Thomas, describing him as an “important part of Coronation Street for 15 years” whilst insisting that he “appreciates” Thomas’ need for a new adventure.

We’re going to miss this…

Speaking at the Pride of Britain Awards last week Ryan had hinted he would be heading Stateside.

Ryan has been at the centre of a number of huge storylines, including his relationships with Sarah Platt, Candice Stowe, Violet Wilson and Maria Connor.