Coronation Street star says 'that's a wrap' as he confirms ITV soap exit

Coronation Street: Rowan pushes Leanne to face her demons

Actor Emrhys Cooper has bid a heartfelt farewell to Coronation Street after a year of playing sinister cult leader Rowan Cunliffe, who has terrorised several Weatherfield residents.

The 39-year-old Hollywood star, who has also appeared in Desperate Housewives, CSI: New York and the big screen smash hit Mamma Mia, took to Instagram to mark the occasion with his 76k followers.

Alongside a carousel of candid behind-the-scenes images with co-stars from the ITV soap, including Jane Danson (who plays Leanne Battersby) and Georgia Taylor (Toyah Habib), he penned a lengthy note expressing how much he had enjoyed his time in Weatherfield.

"And that’s a wrap on Rowan," he opened. "About this time last year, I found out I got the part on @coronationstreet in the middle of the night!

"I was living in California at the time when I checked my phone and there it was… the big news. An incredible early Christmas present.

Actor Emrhys Cooper has waved goodbye to the cobbles and the role of cult leader Rowan Cunliffe (Image: ITV)

"I had been quite homesick for a while and felt the urge to move back to the UK to be closer to my family after living in the USA for the past 15 years.

"It was also uncanny how the cult storyline resonated with my personal journey and childhood. Getting this part felt like a sure sign from the universe that it was written in the stars for me to return home. I haven’t looked back!

"Working on Corrie has been one of the most incredible professional experiences of my life. What a family, what a tradition, what a national treasure! Thank you so much, Coronation Street! To the cast, crew, and everyone involved.

"Lastly, I want to say I will forever be grateful to the amazing fans who embraced the evil Rowan despite all his dastardly deeds. Also, thank you, Manchester! #grateful," he signed off.

Emrhys Cooper posted images with his Coronation Street castmates (Image: Emrhys Cooper Instagram)

His Corrie co-stars sang his praises in the comments. Jane Danson, who he worked closely with as Rowan manipulated her character Leanne, praised him saying: "Thank you for being an absolute joy to work with." Her on screen sister Georgia Taylor commented: "What an absolute joy you were to have around darling."

Channique Sterling-Brown, who plays pregnant solicitor Dee Dee Bailey, gushed: "We love you gorgeous human! Thank you for all the warmth and kindness you bought! Very missed." Cait Fitton, who plays Lauren Bolton chimed in: "We will miss you gorgeous one!! Good luck with everything."

Elle Mulvaney, who plays Amy Barlow, another of Rowan's victims, wrote: "Loved working with you, Emrhys." Meanwhile the official Coronation Street account simply posted: "We’ll miss you @emrhyscooper."

In September the Devon born star told Express.co.uk about his personal experience with cults as his parents had joined one when he was a child. "It was Kismet ironic and very much poetic justice that I would play Rowan in Coronation Street, given my personal experiences with cults." he confessed.

Coronation Street is on ITV and ITV X Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7.30pm.