Coronation Street viewers were left surprised when Craig Charles stepped away from the Cobbles in 2015, especially as Lloyd Mullaney remained such a popular character. Now, the actor has opened up about the real reason behind his exit, revealing how a personal tragedy pushed him to question his life and ultimately walk away from the ITV soap.
Craig Charles Shares the Real Reason He Left Coronation Street
Craig Charles played Lloyd Mullaney on Coronation Street from 2005 to 2015 and became a fan favourite during his ten-year run. His character featured in several major storylines, including the unforgettable live episode during the show’s 50th anniversary tram crash.
His exit from the soap came in May 2015, but the decision was shaped by events from the previous year. In 2014, Craig appeared on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! but had to leave the show early after learning that his brother Dean had died following a heart attack.
Speaking about that time, Craig said the loss changed his life and led to his unexpected departure from the show. He explained that the tragedy made him stop and reflect deeply, asking himself whether he would feel satisfied with what he had achieved if something similar had happened to him. The actor admitted that his answer was no.
He also pointed out that he was 50 at the time. However, his brother was just 52. And, it made the situation feel even more real. After spending a decade on Corrie, he began to feel like he was stuck in a routine and needed something different.
How Tragedy Pushed Him to Make A Big Decision
Craig shared that even though his time in the Australian jungle was cut short, he had been enjoying the experience before everything changed. The sudden loss brought everything into perspective and made him realise how quickly life can shift.
That moment became a turning point. He decided to leave Coronation Street and look for new challenges. He wanted to try new things and move beyond the routine he had been in for years. This led him to focus on other projects, including Red Dwarf and his work with BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music.
Even after leaving, Craig admitted that the experience stayed with him. He spoke about the years of “what ifs” that followed and how I’m a Celebrity felt bittersweet for a long time. The Corrie actor said that in the early years, he could not watch the show because it reminded him of the loss and brought back painful emotions.
Each year the show returned, he felt a sense of what might have been. It was both for himself and for his brother. He reflected on how young his brother was and said he would have been 63 now. Over time, Craig has found a way to come to terms with everything that happened.
He explained that the intensity of his grief has eased. And in recent years, he has been able to watch the show again without feeling overwhelmed. Despite his exit, Craig still has a strong connection to Coronation Street. He said he watches the show and still loves it so much that he would go back in a heartbeat. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for more Coronation Street spoilers and behind-the-scenes updates.