Coronation Street star shares huge career plans as he leaves soap after 16 years

A Coronation Street legend has shared his career plans as his final scenes are set to play out.

Alex Bain has been a fixture on the iconic ITV soap as Simon Barlow

for over 16 years and despite parting ways with his alter ego, he’s thrilled that his character heading off into the sunset with a “happy ending”.

Simon, who was first seen as a character back in 2003 played by Daniel Whelan followed by

Jake and Oscar Hartley, is about set to sail alongside his father Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne) following a turbulent journey of overcoming alcohol abuse.

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As Simon bids farewell to Weatherfield, Alex has opened up about his plans for the future. He explained: “I will always be a dancer and one day I would love to be a choreographer and teach dance and ultimately open my own dance and performance school.

Alex Bain

Alex Bain has opened up about leaving the cobbles (Image: Mike Marsland/WireImage)

“I am currently finally taking my ballet and modern intermediate exams that I should have done when I was 16. I need those qualifications to have a chance of teaching and doing choreography. Acting goes hand in hand with dancing though so hopefully I will be able to continue to do both. But dance is definitely my focus at the moment.

Alex Bain

The actor has been a fixture on the iconic ITV soap as Simon Barlow for over 16 years

“I’d like to do a dance teaching course. I’ve been able to attend a full week’s worth of classes, which is something I haven’t been able to do for a while. “It is an exciting time for me to start thinking about what is next.” When asked about finding out his time on the cobbled was coming to an end, Alex said: “I felt very positive about it. The show has been the backbone of my life but I am 22 now and maybe it is time to see what the future holds.”

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Simon Barlow

As Simon bids farewell to Weatherfield, Alex has opened up about his plans for the future

In an interview courtesy of ITV, when quizzed about his feelings towards leaving his character behind, Alex expressed: “Yes, I am [going to miss Simon], because we have spent so much time together over the past 16 years. We are like two sides of the same coin, in a way.