Chris Fountain sacked from Corrie after rape rap

Coronation Street star Chris Fountain has been axed from the show as a result of an online video in which he delivered a foul-mouthed rap which included lyrics about rape.

The 25-year-old was suspended from Coronation Street last week after the video came to light and he met programme bosses on Monday to discuss his actions.

ITV said that his contract has now been terminated due to his "unacceptable comments".

Fountain, who played Tommy Duckworth, apologised last week and said he was "deeply ashamed" of the lyrics.

His videos, posted on YouTube as his rap persona The Phantom, featured the star discussing violent themes. The clips have been removed from the website but featured Fountain wearing a Halloween mask and delivering lines such as "rape a bitch on her birthday".

An ITV spokesman said: "Chris Fountain's contract with ITV has been terminated as a result of the unacceptable comments he made in a number of online clips."

Fountain's actions were condemned by charities, women's groups and MPs.

Fay Maxted, chief executive of the Survivors Trust - an umbrella agency for more than 135 specialist rape, sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse support organisations - said last week: "He is a role model for young people. It almost seems like he's making a joke of something that really isn't funny."

Tory MP Priti Patel said his raps showed "a lack of respect, regard and understanding of the crime of rape".

She added: "This guy is trying to trivialise it. He should know much better."

Fountain - who has also starred in Hollyoaks and has been a contestant on Dancing On Ice - spoke of his regret last week after the video emerged.

He said in a statement: "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 and nor will I."

 

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.