Sacked Corrie star says he's "deeply sorry" about rape raps
Coronation Street star Chris Fountain has said ITV chiefs had "no choice" but to axe him from the show after online video clips of him delivering foul-mouthed raps - which included lyrics about rape - emerged online.
The 25-year-old was suspended from the show last week after the videos came to light and he met programme bosses today to discuss his actions.
ITV said that his contract has now been terminated due to his "unacceptable comments".
Fountain, who played Tommy Duckworth, said in a statement he was "deeply sorry" and "mortified" at the embarrassment he has brought to colleagues and employers.
"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."
His videos, posted on YouTube as his rap persona The Phantom, featured the star discussing violent themes.
The clips have been removed from the website but featured Fountain wearing a Halloween mask and delivering lines such as "rape a bitch on her birthday".
An ITV spokesman said: "Chris Fountain's contract with ITV has been terminated as a result of the unacceptable comments he made in a number of online clips."
Fountain said: "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.
"The lyrics that appeared online were influenced by a style of hiphop that I was experimenting with at a private freestyle session and blurted out in a moment of madness.
"There is absolutely no excuse - I take complete responsibility for my actions - but they were in no way thought out or represent at all my attitude towards women, rape and violence."
However, Fountain's actions were condemned by charities, women's groups and MPs.
Fay Maxted, chief executive of the Survivors Trust - an umbrella agency for more than 135 specialist rape, sexual violence and childhood sexual abuse support organisations - said last week: "He is a role model for young people. It almost seems like he's making a joke of something that really isn't funny."
Tory MP Priti Patel said his raps showed "a lack of respect, regard and understanding of the crime of rape". She added: "This guy is trying to trivialise it. He should know much better."
Fountain - who has also starred in Hollyoaks and has been a contestant on Dancing On Ice - last week said the videos were made over a year ago when he was experimenting with music.
He added in his statement: "I just want to apologise from the bottom of my heart to everyone who I have offended or upset.
"I am also mortified to have put my mother, grandad and girlfriend through the last few days which they are hurt and bewildered by and so do not deserve. I am so sorry.
"Once again to everyone who I have let down and hurt. I am deeply sorry."
Fountain's departure is the latest blow for the long running soap which is currently missing two of its most familiar faces.
Bill Roache, 81, who has played Ken Barlow in the ITV1 soap since its launch in 1960, is absent from the show as he awaits trial for child sex charges.
The world's longest-serving soap actor, who will enter formal pleas in court next month, is due to face trial in January over two counts of raping a 15-year-old girl in east Lancashire in 1967 and five indecent assaults involving four girls aged between 11 or 12 and 16 in the Manchester area in 1965 and 1968.
Also missing from screens is Michael Le Vell , who plays car mechanic Kevin Webster.
He is due to appear for trial next month charged with 19 offences including six counts of raping a child, six allegations of indecently assaulting a child and seven counts of sexual activity with a child. The offences are alleged to have taken place between September 2002 and September 2010.
Both men have denied the charges.