Sam Aston breaks silence on Corrie bosses axing stars amid stream of ‘big exits’ and reveals future on the soap

CORONATION Street star Sam Aston has opened up about the wave of big exits from the soap and revealed his future as Chesney Brown in uncertain.

The 30-year-old actor weighed in on the changes at Corrie, including the departure of long-time cast members Colson Smith, Sue Cleaver and Helen Worth, who played Gail Platt for over five decades.

Speaking about the recent exits, Sam said: “I just think we’re in a period at the minute where a couple of the big characters are going.

“It’s always been like that on the show with people coming and going.

“Obviously we have lost, with Helen especially, one of the icons on the show. 50 years, she was an absolute legend. Hats off to her – enjoy your retirement, you deserve it.”

Despite the shake-ups, Sam reassured fans about his own future on the cobbles.

He said: “So at the minute I’m not filming right now, but I am there,” he confirmed ahead of his debut on Dancing On Ice.

“I’m not like written out for this or anything like that.

“I’ve got a bit of work in the pipeline coming up, so it’ll just depend on how far I go and how busy I can potentially get.”

Sam also hinted that there’s plenty of drama still to come for Chesney.

He teased that the storyline involving “the man in the van” is far from over.

Sam revealed: “I can probably say that it’s not the end with the whole man-in-the-van situation.

“The last that I know is that Chesney’s getting a bit tormented – this guy, a man in the van, keeps following him everywhere.”

“I’d love to do 50 years on Corrie.

“I mean I’m nearly halfway there. It’s on the cards. 
I mean we get 12 month contracts.

“So, yes, I’m currently in another 12 month contracts that’s been a rolling thing for the last few years.

“I never rest on my laurels. 

“I wouldn’t like to think I’m ireplaceable or anything like that.

“But as long as they want me and I’m enjoying it, I’ll stay.”

Asked if people shout about kebabs when they see him in the street, he said: “No so they used to shout about Schmeichel like ‘where’s Schmeichel where’s your big dog?’

“And then obviously he died, and then I had four kids so now it’s ‘where’s Gemma where’s the quads?’.”

Sam also addressed being tipped as one of the bookies’ favourites to win this year’s Dancing On Ice – but he’s keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

The actor, who’s been wowing fans with his skating skills during training alongside pro Molly Langhan, admitted he’s enjoying the experience but isn’t letting the odds get to his head.

He’s up against Traitor star Mollie Pearce, Eastenders star Charlie Brooks, The Only Way is Essex’s Dan Edgar, Hollyoaks star Chelsee Healey, stand-up comedian Josh Jones, reality TV star Ferne McCann, Sir Steve Redgrave and footballer Anton Ferdinand.

Sam joked about the pressures of relaxing his training over Christmas and the pressures the competition, saying: “We just had a Christmas break, so loaded back up on the food.

“But no, it’s been a fun journey so far. I’m enjoying being on the ice – the skating side and actually the learning side of it, I’m loving it.”

When asked about his status as one of the bookies’ favourites, Sam laughed off the predictions.

He said: “I don’t know about being a favourite – the bookies always get it wrong, don’t they? I never back a favourite!”

Despite the hype, he said he’s staying focused and cautious.

He said: “I don’t want to get too ahead of myself.”

Dancing On Ice starts Sunday at 6.30pm, live on ITV1, ITVX, STV, STV Player.