Steven Arnold, best known for his iconic role as Ashley Peacock on Coronation Street, has revealed he will never return to the soap, even if bosses begged him. The actor, who played butcher Ashley from 1995 until 2010, made this stunning admission amid a growing trend of British soaps resurrecting characters, some even from the dead. 
In a candid interview, Arnold, now 51, spoke about his character’s tragic end in the show’s 50th anniversary tram crash special and how that departure has remained final. Despite the recent trend of bringing back past characters, Steven stressed, “I wouldn’t return. Ashley was crushed by a falling beam, and we filmed the episode. I had my leaving party, and that was that.”
Reflecting on his time on set, Arnold paid tribute to the late John Savident, who played Fred Elliot, calling him a massive influence on his acting career. Arnold described John, who passed away in 2024, as a mentor who taught him everything about acting on set, adding, “He was like a father to me.” Even now, when teaching acting, Arnold says John’s wisdom is still very much alive in his own teaching style. 
In his reflection, Steven shared that John’s guidance on character passion and acting remains integral to his current roles, including Shakespearean productions. “Even now, I can hear his words coming through my mouth,” he said, further emphasizing the profound impact John had on his craft.
Arnold’s comments come just after Coronation Street star Helen Worth, who portrayed Gail Platt for 50 years, also spoke about her decision to leave the show. Helen’s farewell from the long-running soap saw her reflecting on the difficult yet memorable moments from her time as one of the show’s longest-running characters.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
