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Ben Price QUITS Coronation Street to spend more time with his family after seven years playing Nick Tilsley

Published: 19:20 EST, 26 January 2017 | Updated: 04:13 EST, 27 January 2017

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Ben Price has quit Coronation Street after seven years playing Nick Tilsley on the show.

The 45-year-old actor has decided to bow out of the long-running soap for 'personal' reasons and because he wants to spend more time with his wife Alexandra and their two children, daughter Paloma, 10, and seven-year-old son Max.

Of his decision to call it quits, Ben told the Daily Mirror: 'Coronation Street has been the most significant part of my career and I have had a fantastic seven years here.

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I quit: Ben Price has announced his departure from Coronation Street

'The decision to leave is purely personal - I want to spend more time with my family.

'I have been supported by a terrific cast and crew and have had the most glorious storylines and for that I am most grateful.'

His character as Gail Platt's eldest son - which was portrayed by Warren Jackson and Adam Rickitt prior to Ben joining in 2009 - will be written out of the ITV soap in an explosive storyline, which will reportedly air over the summer.

It will see him leave the cobbles after his lover Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson) reveals Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) is the father of her child, while Steve's wife Michelle (Kym Marsh) asks for divorce.

Leaving Leanne behind: Ben's exit storyline is promising to be 'explosive'

'Corrie bosses are keeping tight-lipped over the plot and whether Nick will be killed off, simply teasing it will be a 'dramatic exit'.

The soap's Executive Producer, Kieran Roberts commented: 'We fully respect Ben's decision to leave Coronation Street.

'As Nick he has been the centre of some of the biggest plots of the last seven years.

Priorities: Ben Price said he wanted to see more of his family and wife Alexandra

'He is valued member of cast who will be greatly missed but we still have many months of great storylines with him leading to his dramatic exit later this year.'

Ben's departure follows Tisha Merry calling it quits in December, the 23-year-old star is to leave her role as Weatherfield bistro waitress Steph Britton following three years on the show to try her hand at something new.

A source said at the time: 'Tish has had an amazing couple of years where she's been at the forefront of some of 'Corrie's biggest storylines, but feels it's now time for a change.'