Ben Price quits his role as Coronation Street’s Nick Tilsley

Ben Price has quit his role as Nick Tilsley in Coronation Street to spend more time with his family.

The Mirror reports that the character will bow out from the cobbles in an ‘explosive storyline’ as the soap’s summer plots begin to play out. 

“Coronation Street has been the most significant part of my career and I have had a fantastic seven years here. The decision to leave is purely personal – I want to be able to spend more time with my family. I have been supported by a terrific cast and crew and have had the most glorious storylines and for that I am most grateful.” – Ben Price

Father-of-two Ben has been commuting between London and Manchester to play the role. 

Although it is not yet known what Nick’s final scenes will entail, it’s thought that his departure will tie into the fallout of Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) fathering Leanne’s baby.

Gail’s eldest son has been on and off a part of Corrie‘s storylines since he was born in 1981. Price joined the ITV soap in 2009 and is the third actor to portray Nick with Adam Rickitt and Warren Jackson previously doing so.

Nick’s storylines have included various romances notably a recurrent one with teenage sweetheart, Leanne (Jane Danson) and incurring brain damage following a car crash. 

“We fully respect Ben’s decision to leave Coronation Street.

 

“Nick has been at the centre of some of the biggest plots of the last seven years [and] we still have many months of great storylines with him leading to his dramatic exit later this year.” – Kieran Roberts, Executive Producer

The character of Nick was beefed up in 1997 when hunky Adam Rickitt took on the role, he played Nick on and off until 2004.

Warren Jackson as the original Nick.