Coronation Street star Chris Gascoyne gets new job away from soap and fans are loving it
08.07.2023 - 16:51
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Coronation Street star Chris Gascoyne has unintentionally whipped fans up into a frenzy as his new role away from the ITV soap was revealed. The actor is famed for playing Peter Barlow on the cobbles on-and-off for 23 years.
But he wasn't the first person to take on the role. Ken Barlow's son made his debut on the cobbles over five decades ago and has been played by a record SEVEN actors in that time, with the character facing a whole host of storylines including bigamy, alcoholism, a custody battle, doomed love affairs and being framed for the murder of his lover Tina.
Peter was born on-screen during an episode broadcast on 5 April 1965, along with his twin sister Susan. He was portrayed as a baby by Robert Heanue, from 1965 to 1970, before Christopher Dormer took over the role for a year. Then in 1971, Mark Duncan appeared as Peter briefly before Linus Roache took over the casting from 1973 to 1975.
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In 1977, Peter returned, this time played by Joseph McKenna until the following year while David Lonsdale portrayed Peter in 1986. Chris Gascoyne didn't make his first appearance in the role until 2000 during the 40th anniversary live episode. He then left the role in 2003 and returned in 2007 for a brief stint before returning full-time in 2008.
In January 2014 it was confirmed that Chris would be leaving once again, but the following year he did reprise the role for two episodes for the funeral of Deirdre Barlow, played by Anne Kirkbride. It was then revealed in 2016 that Peter would be making a return to Weatherfield with Chris remaining in the role ever since.
However, this Christmas, Corrie fans are set to see Peter - or