Ian Puleston-Davies announces Coronation Street exit

Coronation Street star Ian Puleston-Davies is to leave the soap at the end of his current contract.

The actor’s contractual filming duties conclude in March, keeping his character of Owen Armstrong on screen until early summer.

“Next year I will have been playing Owen Armstrong for five years and it felt like a good point to move on and take some time to focus on new projects. I have returned to my other passion of writing and in 2015 hope to put on a new play. I have had a fantastic time at Coronation Street and made some great friends. I certainly would never rule out returning to the role of Owen at some point in the future if I was asked.” – Puleston-Davies

Builder Owen was introduced to the serial in June 2010, as the overprotective father of Izzy Armstrong (Cherylee Houston) and a new love interest for Liz McDonald (Beverley Callard). Owen and Izzy were later joined by younger daughter Katy (Georgia May Foote).

“Over the last few years two things have been glaringly clear to me; firstly how gifted an actor Ian is and secondly – and perhaps more importantly – is what a lovely and dedicated man he is. We wish him all the very best and there is still a great deal of fantastic drama to come for Owen and the Windasses before Ian leaves.” – Show boss, Stuart Blackburn

Prior to joining the street, Puleston-Davies had roles in Vincent, Funland, Hustle, Life on Mars and Silent Witness. In the 1990s he had a minor recurring role in the BBC’s EastEnders as illiterate down and out, Jimmy, who resided at a homeless hostel run by Alex Healy.

Coronation Street airs Monday/Wednesday/Friday on ITV/STV/UTV