Connor McIntyre would "love" to perform the works of William Shakespeare once he leaves 'Coronation Street'.

Connor McIntyre

Connor McIntyre

The soap villain - whose character Pat Phelan will see his reign of terror come to an end next week - has set his sights on treading the boards when his time on the cobbles comes to an end.

Connor told BANG Showbiz: "I'd love to do Shakespeare - but as actors we're not really in control of that, and if we are it's with a 'small c'.

"We'll see what happens. I've learnt to become a bit more philosophical about it - I mean, who would've guessed that from three episodes, we'd have [this].

"You couldn't have foreseen that. I love to be at work, I love what I do so we'll see. But Shakespeare, sure - I love all of that."

The 57-year-old actor - who is to star in panto 'Cinderella' this year alongside former 'Corrie' co-star Les Dennis - also admitted that while he is "sad" to be leaving his cast mates behind, he feels like it is the right time for the character to depart.

He added: "As always, it's sad to leave the people you've grown really close to. It's been some ride, hasn't it?

"From three scenes to where we are now, and the opportunities I've been given to play out.

"It's the right time, and the viewers have really stuck with us all the way through - and we've tested their patience place to place to place.

"So it's a fitting time for it to conclude - but tinged with sadness, obviously."