Daniel Brocklebank recently addressed his exit from the popular ITV soap, Coronation Street, where he portrayed Billy Mayhew since 2014. He revealed the circumstances surrounding his departure and shared insights into his future plans.
Exit from Coronation Street
Brocklebank was informed of the decision in June when he was summoned to the production office. He explained that the reasoning provided was storyline-based. “It felt absolutely right, so I was philosophical about it,” he stated. “It is just a job at the end of the day and there’s no character bigger than the show.”
He emphasized the unpredictable nature of television contracts, indicating that actors typically sign for only one year. “Shows evolve and new producers want to bring in new characters,” he added, acknowledging that change is a common aspect of the industry.
Reflections on Billy Mayhew
Interestingly, Brocklebank had been contemplating leaving the show for about a year prior to his exit. He noted that discussions with his partner led him to consider this decision as he sought new challenges. “I was very quiet in the last year there,” he admitted, indicating that he felt creatively stagnant.
- Brocklebank highlighted the impactful Motor Neurone Disease storyline as a career milestone.
- He noted that his character, Billy, had faced significant challenges such as drug addiction.
- Despite his rich character history, Brocklebank questioned Billy’s future stories, feeling they had already been explored.
New Opportunities Ahead
Following the announcement of his departure, many former colleagues reached out to congratulate him. This prompted a swift transition into a new role in the stage adaptation of Young Frankenstein. “I don’t think I’ve ever finished one job and started another one on the same day,” he remarked.
Brocklebank completed his final scene on Coronation Street and was rehearsing for Young Frankenstein just 30 minutes later. He expressed excitement for this new chapter but also acknowledged the emotional challenge of leaving behind a character he deeply values. “I will miss Billy,” he concluded.
Fans of Coronation Street can continue to catch the show airing on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streaming on ITVX.
