Chris Fountain has been suspended from 'Coronation Street' over a "vile" rap song.
The 25-year-old actor recorded a song, with lyrics which reportedly glorified violence, under the rap name The Phantom, over a year ago and when footage leaked online, ITV took immediate action while further inquiries are made.
Show bosses told the Daily Mirror: "ITV find the language used and the views expressed in this video totally unacceptable.
"Chris Fountain has been suspended pending further inquiries into this matter."
Chris, who plays mechanic Tommy Duckworth, issued an immediate apology, 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, nor will I."
This is more bad news for 'Coronation Street' after Bill Roache was arrested in May over sexual assault claims and written out of the soap until the conclusion of his trial, leaving TV bosses to rewrite the "explosive" storylines which had been planned for his character Ken Barlow.
The shocking arrest came after Bill's fellow 'Corrie' star Michael Le Vell - who played mechanic Kevin Webster - was also written out of the show after being accused of 19 child sex charges.
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