Sacked Corrie actor stars in iconic stage role

You might remember Chris Fountain, who played Tommy Duckworth in Corrie. He was sacked from Coronation Street for this.

Anyway, Chris is now he's back acting, on stage this time. Chris is starring in the UK tour of the stage adaptation of the iconic film Rain Man.

Paul Nicholls and Chris Fountain will take on the lead roles of Raymond and Charlie Babbit.

Based on the iconic film starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman, Rain Man follows Charlie Babbitt who discovers that his autistic savant brother Raymond has inherited the family fortune.

All tour dates are here.

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Chris Fountain makes apology - full statement

According to today's Daily Star, ex-Coronation Street actor Chris Fountain has made a statement after being kicked off Corrie yesterday for the rape rap scandal.  The statement is as follows:

 "I completely understand that ITV had no choice but to terminate my contract today. 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. 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.

"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. I just want to apologise from the bottom of my heart to everyone who I have offended or upset.

"I am also mortified to have put my mother, grandad and girlfriend through the last few days which they are hurt and bewildered by and so do not deserve. I am so sorry. Once again to everyone who I have let down and hurt. I am deeply sorry."

Want to know what I think?  In three words... it's here.

Chris Fountain's actions have been condemned by charities, women's groups and MPs.

Fay Maxted, chief executive of the Survivors Trust – an umbrella agency for more than 135 specialist rape, sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse support organisations – said last week: "He is a role model for young people. It almost seems like he's making a joke of something that really isn't funny."

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Corrie have already filmed Tommy Duckworth's exit

The Daily Star say today that Corrie bosses have already filmed the scenes which will cover Tommy Duckworth's exit from the soap.

In a last-minute scene added yesterday, it is revealed that Tommy has left Weatherfield after a fight with his girlfriend Tina McIntyre.

Tina returns to the flat to discover her ex David Platt asleep. David tells Tina: “Tommy proper kicked off. He packed a bag and went off to the airport.”

I wonder if Tommy will return in three years time with a different head?

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Chris Fountain's contract with Coronation Street has been terminated

Chris Fountain's ITV contract has been terminated as a result of "unacceptable comments" made in online clips.

This is the tweet which has just reached us from @LauraTVBiz at The Sun.

Chris has been suspended from work since Friday last week after being found rapping on YouTube about rape and violence.

He met with Corrie bosses today, and it appears, has now had his contract terminated. I think that's a polite way of saying he's been sacked.

An ITV spokesman said: "Chris Fountain's contract with ITV has been terminated as a result of the unacceptable comments he made in a number of online clips."

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Chris Fountain suspended from Coronation Street over rape song

UPDATE: Radio Times reports that Chris Fountain will still appear as Tommy Duckworth in upcoming Corrie episodes, and not be edited out.
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There's a disturbing story in today's Mirror that says Chris Fountain, who plays Tommy Duckworth, has allegedly been suspended from work at Coronation Street after rapping online about rape.

The Mirror says that in a video posted on YouTube Chris performed in a mask as his alter-ego The Phantom. Wearing a zombie Halloween mask and baseball cap covered by a hoodie he rants about rape and violence.

Chris, who has played mechanic Tommy Duckworth since 2011, said: “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, nor will I.”

A statement from ITV said: "ITV find both the language used and the views expressed in this video totally unacceptable. Chris Fountain has been suspended pending further inquiries into this matter."

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Would you miss Tommy Duckworth if he left with Tina?

There was a story in this weekend's Daily Star on Sunday saying that Chris Fountain, who plays Tommy Duckworth in Coronation Street, is worried that he might be leaving the show as he's not had his contract renewed yet.

Quotes attributed to Chris in the Star say: “I’m contracted until February and then my three-year deal is up. We’ve not had any talks yet about what they have in store for me. I don’t know if they will keep me, I’ll have to wait and see but I would love to stay.”

Talking about Michelle Keegan's exit from the show as Tina McIntyre, Chris says: “I don’t have a clue what happens or how she leaves. I don’t think even Michelle knows. I imagine we will still be together when she leaves but whatever happens I’m sure she’s going to have an exciting and dramatic exit which hopefully I will be involved in.”

So then, Corrie fans. If Tommy Duckworth was to leave Coronation Street with Tina, would you miss him?

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Meet Michelle Keegan and Chris Fountain on Saturday 17 November

Coronation Street's Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre) and Chris Fountain (Tommy Duckworth) are lined up to flick the Christmas switch to turn on Reading's Christmas lights tomorrow, Saturday 17 November.

If you'd like to see them, get yourself down to Broad Street Mall in Reading. Santa’s grotto will open at 10am. The spotlight will be on the stage from 11am, when performances by Has Reading Got Talent? finalists will begin.

And then at 4pm, the Corrie couple will push the plunger and turn the mall into a magical Arctic-themed wonderland. When the deed is done, the Reading-based SOTA (School Of The Arts) rock choir will lift the roof.

Coronation Street fans will be able to grab an autograph at 4.30pm with Michelle Keegan and Chris Fountain.

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Interview with Chris Fountain on playing Tommy Duckworth

There's an interview with Chris Fountain, who plays Coronation Street's Tommy Duckworth, in today's Sun. It's one of those interviews with a lot of words, that takes up a lot of space, but doesn't say much at all. It does however have a picture of Chris Fountain with his top off, which if you're a Chris/Tommy fan is probably worth a look.

Chris talks about his kissing scenes with soap's official sexiest woman Michelle Keegan, who plays Tommy's girlfriend Tina, and says he misses his own girlfriend as they have a long distance relationship.

What I did find interesting was that Chris was a child stage actor. He was in a tour of Les Miserables when he was ten and played the Artful Dodger in a tour of Oliver. At 13, he had his first TV role in Bob & Rose, before going on to appear in Emmerdale, Where The Heart Is and The Royal before joining Hollyoaks at 15.

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Chris Fountain on Tommy's future on Coronation Street

Chris Fountain has given a good, long interview to Digital Spy about playing Tommy Duckworth on Coronation Street.

I'm no fan of Tommy because let's face it, he's not done much since he turned up at Tyrone's door, has he?  But in the last few weeks Tommy's been a good, solid character while Tyrone's been messed about by Kirsty and I've been impressed by the character for at least doing that, if not much else.

Corrie Producer Phil Collinson has already threatened promised us that Tommy and Tina will get together this year and that they'll "become the new Jack and Vera".  Well, we'll see about that.

Chris has been nominated in the National TV Awards for Best Newcomer and he also speaks about that in the interview.  You can read the whole interview here.

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Is Tommy Duckworth a waste of space?

Yesterday I sat and watched nine, yes nine, episodes of Coronation Street back to back. I have to admit, I don't do Corrie in such a marathon way very often, but I'd just returned from two weeks holiday and had a lot of catching up to do.

I agree with Tvor's blogged views of the Carla and Frank storyline and think that storyline was one of the highlights of Corrie for this fan, all year. The acting from Alison King and Andrew Lancel as Carla and Frank, and from Chris Gascoyne and Jane Danson as Peter and Leanne Barlow, was outstanding. The comedy from Deirdre "7 steps" and the drama between Tracy and Steve has been classic Corrie at its best.

But watching Corrie in a chunk like this has also made me realise that there's one character that's very surplus to requirements - Tommy Duckworth.

What's he actually done since he turned up in the Street apart from unsuccessfully trying to chase women?  Either the writers need to give him something to do, apart from leering and ogling, or get rid of him, giving Tina and Tyrone the Duckies house to themselves.

Tommy Duckworth's Duran Duran look-a-like

With thanks to Coronation Street fan Charlotte Marsh's mum who spotted that Tommy Duckworth resembles a young Simon le Bon from 1980s popsters, Duran Duran. Charlotte says: "I can't see it myself but my mum is convinced they look alike," and I think her mum's got a point - what do you reckon?

See more Coronation Street look-a-likes

Pic: Chris Fountain naked in Heat magazine

Woah there, Neddy!  I'm just glad I'd already had me breakfast before I saw this photo of Coronation Street actor Chris Fountain, who plays Tommy Duckworth, posing naked for a Heat magazine photoshoot.  Well, as they say, if you've got it - flaunt it - or more imporantly - flog it. With just a few strategically placed pieces of fruit to hide his meat and two veg, here he is folks and you can see more of him here.

A Loose Women Double

Corrie fans were in for a treat watching Loose Women today, with both guests coming from our very own cobbles.

Chris Fountain was first up, discussing his new role of Tommy and what it's been like to take on the legendary soap name of Duckworth.

Keith Duffy rounded off the Loose lunch with a chat about Boyzone's latest tour and, of course, playing our favourite Irish chef, Ciaran McCarthy. He announced he's expecting to return to filming on the Street in mid-September with Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor), providing Phil Collinson will have them back! We'll probably expect to see Ciaran and Michelle back onscreen in late October if all goes well.

Check out the interviews if you can, they're worth a watch!

Where have you seen Tommy Duckworth before?

Actor Chris Fountain made his debut as the new Tommy Duckworth tonight on Coronation Street. But where have you seen him before?  Hollyoaks, mainly, where he played Justin Burton.  Chris' IMDB profile says he's also been on the box in Five Days, Casualty, Hollyoaks Later, The Royal and Where the Heart Is.

See also: Where have you seen...?
Mrs Hargreaves who died in Audrey's salon,  Sally Webster's fella Jeff, Joy Fishwick's investigator, Charlotte's Parents, Ken Barlow's grandson James, Ken Barlow's son Lawrence, Dr Matt Carter, Saucy Charlotte, Izzy's dad Owen Armstrong,The Corrie coppers, Colin Fishwick, Trevor the binman, Connie Rathbone, Uncle Umed,Julie Carp's mum, Luke Strong, Sophie Webster's boyfriend, Eileen Grimshaw's dad, Norris' girlfriend, Graeme Proctor,Molly's Aunty Pam, Maria's mum and dad, Gail's dad, Scary Brian, Tina's dad, Tony Gordon's henchman, Little Simon Barlow

Interview with the new Tommy Duckworth

Tommy Duckworth returns to Coronation Street soon, and Digital Spy have a good interview with actor Chris Fountain who plays him. It looks like Tommy will start work at Websters' Autos with Kevin and Tyrone.  Chris also says that Tyrone is the closest thing to family that Tommy has got on the street, so they bond straight away and Tommy becomes quite protective over Tyrone. 

He should be an interesting addition to Corrie, don't you think?

Read the full interview here.

See also: Tommy Duckworth returns

Tommy Duckworth returns and splits up Corrie couple

Tommy Duckworth's return to Coronation Street will cause chaos for lovers Tina and Graeme. Ex-Hollyoaks actor Chris Fountain will play Tommy Duckworth when he returns to the Street and tries to steal sexy Tina from lovable Graeme, played by Michelle Keegan and Craig Gazey.

A show insider told The People: “Tina and Graeme didn’t count on Jack and Vera’s grandson rocking the boat. It’s going to be a great storyline. The viewers adore Graeme but Tommy definitely has some of his dad Terry’s cheeky charm. Chris and Michelle will sizzle together on screen.”

In the story, Tommy does not know his grandad Jack has died until he arrives back in the Street.