Bill Ward (Charlie Stubbs) quits Corrie

[Emmak2005]

ITV today confirmed that Bill Ward has decided to leave Coronation Street at the end of his current contract in 2007.

Bill, who plays bully boy builder Charlie Stubbs, told producers of his decision, despite only being a few months into his current contract, in order to give them time to develop an exit story for the character.

The show’s story team are now working on what promises to be one of the most explosive exit storylines in the show’s 46-year history. Viewers will see Charlie leave Weatherfield in January next year.

Of his choice to leave, Ward said: “It’s been a very difficult decision to make and one which I have been thinking about since the end of my last contract. I have had the most fantastic three-and-a-half years on the Street. Charlie has been the most fantastic character to play, and I’d really like to thank all the writers, storyliners and producers for giving him and me such great stories. I just felt that I’d done with Charlie everything I possibly could, and that it was probably time to move on.

“I have nothing but the highest admiration for the show and everyone connected with it and am sure it will continue to go from strength to strength. I’ll particularly miss all the cast and crew and would like to wish everyone all the very best for future.”

Coronation Street producer Steve Frost said: “Bill Ward is an asset to the show and we would have been developing further storylines for the character of Charlie Stubbs had he not decided to leave. He will be missed.”

An ITV spokesperson commented: “Contrary to press reports Bill’s decision to leave is not linked to the future of the character of Tracy Barlow. Actress Kate Ford is contracted to Coronation Street until March 2007.”

[Babe14]

Shame to sse him go as he is one of Corrie's good characters with potential. However his storylines are becoming a bit repetitive, having said that though Tracy and Charlie are a good match for one another.

At this rate there is going to be no one left. Wonder if this has anything to do with the "rumoured" pay cuts...

[~#Disney#~]

After he goes Corrie will lack something IMHO :)

[LostVoodoo]

well it wasn't as if he was the type of character you could imagine staying in the show for 10 years. i agree his storylines are a bit repetitive, hopefully we will find out a bit more about his past etc before he goes, hasn't he got an ex-wife somewhere?

[kitty_uk]

Carnt say I like him very much, I found him to cocky and up himself.

[Pixie]

I cant exactly say I like Charlie but he's a good character to have in the soap, adds some drama!

[alvinsduckie]

... hopefully we will find out a bit more about his past etc before he goes, hasn't he got an ex-wife somewhere?

be hysterical if his ex was somehow related to Tracy :sick: :rotfl:

[the_watts_rule]

I can't say that I like his character very much but he does add a bit of drama to the street. Shame to see him go though.

[tammyy2j]

I will miss him, Bill Ward was hottest male on the street and that devilish smile of his.

Does he get killed? If you look the cover of this week's soaplife he says who kills Charlie.

I would prefer he left with the option to return.

[diamond1]

according to the sun corries christmas storyline is a who shot JR style storyline.....orginal

[Chloe O'brien]

For all you avid corrie fans out there.... we have good news.

Nasty builder Charlie Stubbs - the character we all love to hate - is going to be killed off at Christmas.

And it's not going to be just any old boring death, oh no.
The evil so-and-so is to be murdered in a sensational Who Shot JR? Dallas-style plot.
A source said: "A shooting storyline with multiple suspects is a sure-fire ratings winner for a soap.
"The story is a safe bet to get viewers tuning in for the twists and turns.
"Charlie's list of enemies rivals JR from Dallas. The plot will leave viewers hanging on, with the most unlikely characters under suspicion."
The Street's handyman, played by actor Bill Ward, became one of soaps' most hated characters since making barmaid Shelley's life hell last year.
And this week his evil streak shone through once again when he charmed her into sleeping with him.
Nasty man. Roll on Christmas.

[DaVeyWaVey]

This Who Shot Jr type story should be brilliant for Charlie's exit! He deserves to go out of Corrie in style....i can't wait for this to happen...and hopefully no papers will leak out who the culprit is, it would be nice if we didn't know until the episode airs where we find out who the culprit is!

It sure will be a great ratings winner, and will be a great rival for Eastenders over Christmas, what with Pauline leaving then as well.

[Perdita]

Former Coronation Street star Bill Ward has admitted he is glad that his soap character has 'lived on'.

Ward's Charlie Stubbs was fatally struck with a metal sculpture by Tracy Barlow in 2007 after a domestic abuse storyline. Tracy then spent five years in prison until she was freed after a retrial.

Speaking about references that are still made to the villainous character in the soap, Ward told Metro: "I'm glad Charlie Stubbs has got some sort of notoriety. He was a very nasty piece of work.

"When Corrie mentioned there was going to be an abuse storyline, I wanted to get it as right as I could and I spoke to Women's Aid, who are the national domestic violence charity.

"Now I'm an ambassador for them, trying to raise their profile because one in four women will be in an abusive relationship."

Ward is currently starring in Spice Girls West End musical Viva Forever!, as a character based on Simon Cowell. He admitted that he tuned in to The X Factor for the first time in eight years in preparation for the role.

"I watched The X Factor for the first time for eight years doing research on this and I really enjoyed it. I was surprised.

"I don't think I'd watched it since it was Pop Idol. It's great drama, great entertainment and great television," he added.

"It was a guilty pleasure for me while I was researching this."

[parkerman]

When I saw this thread had been revived I thought you were going to say that Charlie Stubbs is to make a spectacular comeback, entering the newly rebuilt Rover's Return, seeing Tracy and saying, "Hello Princess".

[tammyy2j]

When I saw this thread had been revived I thought you were going to say that Charlie Stubbs is to make a spectacular comeback, entering the newly rebuilt Rover's Return, seeing Tracy and saying, "Hello Princess".

I'd like him back from the dead