Coronation Street’s Peter Barlow star lands new role away from soap

Coronation Street  star Chris Gascoyne, who plays Peter Barlow in the long running ITV soap, will soon be seen in a huge new role. The 55-year-old will be appearing as the iconic villain Captain Hook in The Alban Arena’s panto The All New Adventures of Peter Pan this December, alongside CBeebie’s Maddie Moate as Tinkerbell The venue announced his casting on social media saying they were ‘delighted’  alongside an image of the actor in character and fans were quick to comment with their excitement. A user with the handle @carlasbarlow tweeted: “Nah this is incredible.” @kingdomofcarter commented: “Nah corrie are too funny saying that Peter has been on a boat for 3 months when he’s playing a literal pirate.” Peter Barlow actor Chris Gascoyne will appear in Panto this December (Image: ITV) Meanwhile @Lauz_79 replied: “The whole Carter fandom going to St Albans Arena in December! That’s the Chris Gascoyne effect.” A fan called @jennyluv__ shared: “I’ve booked tickets so excited to see Chris.” Elsewhere @alikingsevie wrote: “My prayers have been answered,” in response to a tweet they shared back in 2020 which read: “Petition for chris to do another panto when all this is over.” [sic] Dad of three Chris has been playing Peter on and off for 23 years now. He made his debut as Peter, who has been played by an impressive seven actors, in the live episode which was broadcast for the show’s 40th anniversary in 2000. The venue released an image of Chris in character as Captain Hook (Image: The Alban Arena) He then left the role in 2003 but returned full-time in 2008 before making another exit in 2014. He made a brief return for Deirdre Barlow’s funeral the following year. He then made another huge return in 2016 and has remained in the role ever since. In his time on the show he has been at the centre of some huge storylines. In 2003 he was involved in a bigamy storyline when he married both Rovers barmaid Shelley Unwin (Sally Lindsay) and florist Lucy Richards (Katy Carmichael). In 2014 he was at the heart of Michelle Keegan’s exit storyline when he was was framed for her character Tina McIntyre’s murder by Rob Donovan (Marc Baylis). He has also struggled with alcoholism throughout his tenure on the cobbles and has had his fair share of doomed love affairs. The character is currently happily married to factory boss Carla Connor (Alison King). Coronation Street is on ITV at 8pm Monday, Wednesday and Friday.