CORONATION Street actor James Burrows has quit the soap after two years, The Sun Online can exclusively reveal.
The actor - who played Dr Ali Neeson in the ITV soap - has already filmed his final scenes and will bow out next month.
A source said: “Ali’s been one of the most popular characters on the cobbles but the time has come for him to leave.
“He’s at war with murderer Gary Windass over ex Maria Connor and the pair will be involved in a brutal showdown on the cobbles soon.
“Viewers will be worried Gary will claim his third victim.”
However The Sun Online can confirm that the door will be left open for Ali to return in the future.
The source added: “It’s not the last fans will see of Ali in Weatherfield.”
A Coronation Street spokeswoman confirmed James’ exit when contacted by The Sun Online.
The character’s exit comes just three months after his mother, Michelle Connor, left the street after the death of her ex Robert Preston.
Off the cobbles, actor James recently had his first child with fiancee Sophie Coates.
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The couple welcomed daughter Betty in April after a gruelling 46 hour labour.
They kept the news secret until June when James announced the birth in a low-key way on Instagram after snapping each other one a “rare child-free night out”.
Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV