Tristan Gemmill says it is "just a coincidence" that so many ‘Coronation Street’ stars announced their exits around similar times.
The 52-year-old star – who portrays Robert Preston – has confirmed he is to leave the ITV soap, as have his colleagues Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor), Lucy Fallon (Bethany Platt), and Faye Brookes (Kate Connor), but Tristan insists the reasoning is nothing to do with having to shoot a six-episode week.
He said: "There’s 60-something people in the cast – and there’s a natural turnover when people feel it’s time to move on.
"It’s just a coincidence that a few people said the same thing at once.
"It doesn’t point to the health of the show or having six episodes a week.
"We love doing six episodes a week."
While it’s not known exactly how Tristan will leave the soap, his character Robert looks set to cause havoc in upcoming scenes after viewers found out he has got his ex Vicky Jefferies (Kerri Quinn) pregnant, despite getting back with Michelle.
And while Tristan expects ‘Corrie’ fans to think Robert has been "an absolute snake", he hopes they "come on his journey a little bit" before getting too annoyed with him.
He added to Inside Soap magazine: "I am sure they will see Robert as an absolute snake.
"You can’t do anything to harm those Connor women, because they are the heart and soul of the show.
"It’s going to be interesting what the audience does. I would hope they come on his journey a little bit, and realise he’s in a bit of a corner.
"It all escalates out of his control, and he spends a lot of time trying to fight fires."
Kerri recently admitted she was delighted about returning to ‘Corrie’, and was pleased to be working with Tristan, who she described as the "hottest man on TV".
She said: "I was beyond excited, I’d seen Michelle and Robert on screen and thought they were a great couple, so when I was told I was going to be paired up with Robert, who is probably the hottest man on TV, I was alright with that."
Tristan Gemmill plays down ‘coincidental’ Coronation Street exits
