Actor Chris Fountain, famous for his role in top soap Coronation Street has been sacked after it was exposed that he made a song about rape and violence.
The song which was spotted last week shows Fountain rapping about committing violent acts, including raping women, as his alter-ego “The Phantom.”
Fountain had been suspended from the show but a spokesman for ITV confirmed that his contract had been terminated.
The spokesman said the actor’s departure was “as a result of the unacceptable comments he made in a number of online clips”.
In a statement the 25-year-old said:
“I completely understand that ITV had no choice but to terminate my contract today,” he said. “I have had two wonderful years playing Tommy Duckworth with only happy memories of my time on Coronation Street.
“I am mortified that I have brought so much embarrassment to my colleagues and employers these last few days.”
With his co-star and onscreen girlfriend Michelle Keegan.
Fountain said: “My biggest regret however is not to do with losing my job, but that I have hurt and let down so many people including those in a vulnerable situation and I am so very deeply ashamed of this.”
“The lyrics that appeared online were influenced by a style of hiphop that I was experimenting with at a private freestyle session and blurted out in a moment of madness.
“There is absolutely no excuse – I take complete responsibility for my actions – but they were in no way thought out or represent at all my attitude towards women, rape and violence.”
