THE Christmas period ended in tears for Carla Connor as she had no other choice but to let her husband leave their life in the cobbles.
After 23 years in Coronation Street, Peter Barlow actor Chris Gascoyne left the ITV soap. Here's what you need to know.
What happened to Peter Barlow in Coronation Street?
The beloved cabbie was born and raised in Weatherfield and celebrated his 58th birthday earlier this year.
But in a shocking development aired during Super Soap Week, in October, 2023, all that Peter has ever known was left in shambles after he mowed over serial killer Stephen Reid.
At the time, Stephen was trying to flee the Street as his many secrets spectacularly unravelled, leaving him having to explain his crimes which included murder.
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To top it all off, a desperate Stephen had struck his own niece Sarah Platt around the head in the Rovers Return pub before taking his former flame Jenny Connor as a hostage and threatening to kill her.
Peter was arrested, accused of murdering Stephen but once it became clear that he was only trying to protect Jenny, the police decided to release.
That could have been the end of Peter's ordeal but, soon enough, his conscience caught up with him and he sank into a deep depressive state, convinced his own wife Carla (Alison King) had had enough of him.
Peter felt rejected by his other half as she failed to be present during his time of need, choosing instead to focus on her own issues with the Underworld factory.
He temporarily turned to his ex Toyah Battersby as he struggled with a potential relapse into his alcohol addiction, until Carla returned from a business trip to Spain.
Unfortunately, Peter was unable to get out of his mindset and he begged Carla to leave Weatherfield behind with him, which she categorically refused due to her career.
Why did Peter Barlow leave Coronation Street?
In recent soap scenes, Peter let Carla know they had the chance to leave Weatherfield to join his friend Mickey on his yacht.
Mickey was said to be travelling the world on his boat, which inspired Peter to look for greener pastures.
While Carla rejected the idea, she decided to give Peter the chance to start afresh and, in a Christmas Day cliff-hanger, she revealed that she had bought him a one-way ticket out of Weatherfield.
Although he initially believed Carla was trying to get rid of him, Peter eventually came to the realisation that it was best for him and his wife to part ways, finally ending their toxic relationship.
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Carla persuaded Peter to join Mickey, prompting him to pack his bags and hurriedly plan his exit after a tear-jerking heart-to-heart.
He bid an emotional farewell to his loved ones on Boxing Day (December 26, 2023) but panic struck him when his son Simon (Alex Bain) vanished and nobody was able to find him.
Peter was last seen boarding on the first tram he could get, without ever getting the chance of saying goodbye to his own son.
But with Alex Bain due to exit Coronation Street, could an off-screen reunion be in the works?
Meanwhile, actor Chris Gascoyne decided to move on to other projects and has been cast as Captain Hook in a theatre production of Peter Pan.
Will Peter Barlow return to Coronation Street?
Peter Barlow's departure from the Street has left fans grieving for another soap legend as many faces come and go in Coronation Street.
However, it has also made many wonder if Chris Gascoyne could ever reprise his role and the answer may come as a relief.
The soap star addressed the question while speaking to BBC News and said: "Of course I've not ruled [a return] out, it's been such a part of my life."
"I've grown up with so many people there but I need a rest and to look to do something different, I'm not getting any younger."
Chris added: "The thing that upset me though was walking away from the people I work with and I don't just mean the actors. I've known all these people for nearly half my life."
But what could bring Peter and Chris back to the cobbles?
How will Carla cope after his departure?
Coronation Street airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8pm on ITV.
