Corrie star Chris Fountain has 'blown career' for the next five years – Daily TV round-up

Axed 'Coronation Street' star Chris Fountain has rendered himself 'unemployable' for the next five years, according to sources at ITV.

The actor, who played Tommy Duckworth, was taken off the show after it emerged he had posted videos of himself rapping about rape and violence on YouTube under the pseudonym 'The Phantom'.

It's now thought that it could seriously affect the 25-year-old actor's career for the foreseeable future.

[Corrie star Chris Fountain suspended over offensive raps]

A source from ITV told the Daily Star: “The decision taken [to sack Fountain] was 100% the right one. He has blown it.

“If anyone takes a gamble on him in the next five years, I will be very surprised.”

The paper reports a BBC source as adding: “His phone won’t be ringing with offers, that’s for sure. What on earth was he thinking?”

After it had emerged Fountain had recorded the clips, ITV took rapid action, firing him from the show.

“Chris Fountain’s contract with ITV has been terminated as a result of the unacceptable comments he made in a number of online clips," read a statement.

He later apologised for making the videos, which he did so over a year ago.

“I completely understand that ITV had no choice but to terminate my contract today,” he said.

“I have had two wonderful years playing Tommy Duckworth with only happy memories of my time on Coronation Street.

“I am mortified that I have brought so much embarrassment to my colleagues and employers these last few days. My biggest regret however is not to do with losing my job, but that I have hurt and let down so many people including those in a vulnerable situation and I am so very deeply ashamed of this.” [Daily Star/Metro]

Also in today's press

Bruce Forsyth has said that booking D-list celebrities for 'Strictly Come Dancing' has damaged the show's ratings in the past. “If you haven't got good celebrities as we did have for a couple of years... we did go down and it showed,” he said. “The last couple of years that has been revived and we do get interesting people and in the last [series] we got six couples that were worthy of winning.” [Metro]

Gary Barlow has said that he's glad that Tulisa was axed from the judging panel of 'The X Factor'. “Sharon's breath is much better! Whatever is going on with every individual judge it affects the whole panel,” he said. “When someone's not comfortable or someone's not happy it affects everybody. I was almost glad for it to end last year so when I heard Sharon was coming back I was relieved.” [Digital Spy]

Paul Gascoigne is reportedly being lined up to appear on the Italian version of 'Strictly Come Dancing'. The footballer, who played for Lazio but has battled alcoholism in recent years, is said to have signed a contract to star on 'Ballando con le Stelle'. [The Sun]