Coronation Street cast: Shayne Ward moves on from Aidan Connor Corrie role ‘Not ashamed’
CORONATION STREET’S former cast member Shayne Ward has announced his next big career role after his Corrie alter ego Aidan Connor killed himself in scenes which aired on ITV in May.
The actor, who debuted as Coronation Street’s Aidan Connor back in 2015, confirmed he was concentrating on acting on leaving the cobbles.
After rising to fame thanks to The X Factor, the 33-year-old’s next acting job will be quite different, although he has also eyed up something well-known to viewers.
Shayne Ward said he was “not ashamed” to make a play to appear in established programmes after his Weatherfield character died by suicide.
The father-of-one has a very different part lined up, which is the reason for his new look.
It’s a psychological thriller, and I play a squad leader
Speaking out during an interview in the latest issue of Inside Soap, the hitmaker opened up about what he is up to next.
“I’m about to start shooting a movie called Stairs,” Shayne started. “It’s a psychological thriller, and I play a squad leader.
“That’s why I’ve got the beard! I’ve not closed the door on music - I’ll be going to Vietnam soon to play some shows there.”
He continued: “And I’d love to be in [ITV drama] Marcella - I don’t know if they’re making another series, but I’m not ashamed about putting these things out there!”
Anna Friel has taken centre-stage in the first and second season of the series, which followers a police detective working in London.
“I just really want to show what I’ve learned at Corrie,” Shayne went on.
Meanwhile, during the chat, the crooner also revealed how he really feels about never being able to return to Coronation Street.
“That’ll always be something I’m gutted about,” he added. “But then again, I was only meant to be there six months, and I did three years!
“And I had an incredible time, which has opened the gates for me to do other stuff.”
It comes ahead of Aidan’s sister Carla Connor discovering a DVD containing one of the final messages from him before he took his own life.
He initially left his family with no note or reason as to why he took the measures he did.
Coronation Street: Aidan Connor's emotional final scene
But a recording is set to be found which seems to go some way to explaining why he chose to take his own life.
And the contents of the video has life-changing consequences for Carla (played by Alison King), who is discussed directly in the clip.
The heart-wrenching footage is from February, when Aidan donated his kidney to her.
Coronation Street continues tonight at 7.30pm on ITV.
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