Chris Fountain sacked from Coronation Street
Coronation Street star Chris Fountain has been sacked from the soap after a video of his foul-mouthed rap, which included lyrics about rape, was discovered on the internet.
The 25-year-old actor was suspended from the show last week after a You Tube video showed him wearing a Halloween mask and using pseudonym The Phantom to spout lyrics about bombing houses and stabbing people in the face with syringes.
After meeting with Chris today, ITV revealed that his contract has now been terminated, telling the Daily Mirror: “Chris Fountain’s contract with ITV has been terminated as a result of the unacceptable comments he made in a number of online clips.”
Show bosses have decided not to edit Chris out of episodes he has already filmed so his character, mechanic Tommy Duckworth, will appear on TV this week.
Last week his fans were left in shock when it was revealed he performed vile raps about rape and violence in a series of YouTube videos.
Chris issued a statement apologising for his actions, saying: “I would like to sincerely apologise for any offence I have caused. I am deeply ashamed by the lyrics and very much regret my behaviour.
“The videos were made over a year ago when I was experimenting with music and I’ve not done anything like it since and nor will I.”
Bosses of the show reportedly urged Chris him to speak out on a television show such as Daybreak or This Morning, however Fountain appears to have decided against such measures.
A source told the Sunday Mirror: “These videos are disgusting and bosses now need to work out exactly how to handle the situation. But while they are furious, they need to make sure his future is dealt with fairly…
“He is hoping the fact that they are suggesting he might go on TV to make a grovelling apology is a sign that they could see a future for him.”
The source also revealed he may have to make an apology on several TV shows to reach a wide audience, or he might even hold a press conference about the scandal to prove he’s sorry.
Fountain, who finished runner-up in the third series of celebrity skating show Dancing On Ice in 2008, raps about dragging a girl upstairs, and adds: “I will **** anybody up in the worst way, rape a b***h on her birthday.”
Last night a spokesman for support service Rape Crisis said: ‘This is yet another shocking example of the hatred directed towards women by some men.
