Brian Packham announces shock exit from Coronation Street

TWELVE years have passed since Brian Packham first settled in Weatherfield.

But he reveals that he’s finally ready to leave Coronation Street in scenes due to air next week.

Brian (portrayed by Peter Gunn) has been feeling left out and lonely since Cathy Matthews packed up her things and left for a fresh start away from Weatherfield.

However, he found friendship in the form of Mary Taylor (Patti Clare), although they’ve gone through a rough patch when she found out Brian was responsible for a harsh review about her performance in a play.

Next week on ITV, Brian and Mary bury the hatchet but she despairs when he receives an email from the family tree website informing him of his Italian cousin Isabella.

Well on the way to get to know his long-lost relative, Brian decides it’s time for him to get to know his Italian cousin Isabella and lets Rita Tanner (Barbara Knox) know that he’s planning a trip to Napoli.

He asks her to look after the Kabin for him but when she refuses, Brian turns to Mary for help instead.

Brian then tells Mary all about his plans to visit Isabella in Napoli and how he needs her help.

Unfortunately, Mary misunderstands and assumes that he’d like her to accompany him and confirms she’d be delighted to join him on the trip.

How can Brian make it clear to her that he’ll be leaving Weatherfield alone without hurting her feelings?

What will Mary do when she finds out he has no intention of bringing Mary with him to Italy?

Later on, Brian receives an email from his cousin Isabella with big news – what could it be?

This wouldn’t be Brian’s first exit from the cobbles since his first arrival in Corrie.

In 2013, Brian left the Street to take up a job in Wales and his then-partner Julie Carp stayed behind.

He came back for her in 2015 and they left together.

One year later, Brian returned to Weatherfield and has remained there ever since.

Could he, once again, decide to start afresh and leave for another coutnry?

Coronation Street airs every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8pm on ITV.