Keith warns Corrie stars

Coronation Street star Keith Duffy has issued a warning to the soaps younger stars ahead of his on-screen departure from Weatherfield this week.

14:30 17 July 2005

Coronation Street star Keith Duffy has issued a warning to the soaps younger stars ahead of his on-screen departure from Weatherfield this week.

The boy-band pin up turned actor told the Sunday Mirror that he hated to see some of the younger cast members "letting themselves down" with their off-screen exploits and urged them to make the most of their fame while it lasted.

He told the paper he thought actress Nikki Sanderson, who plays Candice, was making a mistake by leaving the soap because her co-star and off-screen boyfriend Danny Young was axed by the shows producers after reported rows about his then underage-drinking.

"You have to understand some of these kids are making a proper adult wage - and a very nice adult wage. But they are not too happy being told what to do, "said Keith, 30.

"The biggest advice I could give is to appreciate what you have and enjoy every day of it because it does come and go - it's over before you know it," he warned.

The former Boyzone singer joined the Coronation Street cast after the band split up in 2001.

He was supposed to play barman Ciaran for just three episodes, but ended up staying for three years after soap fans took to his cheeky character.

Despite enjoying his time on the soap, Keith told The People newspaper that the strain of commuting from Manchester back to his family home in Dublin each weekend was beginning to take its toll on his personal life.

"Corrie professionally gave me some of the best years of my life - but my personal life lay in tatters," he told the paper.

Viewers will see Keith pull his last pint as Rovers Return barman Ciaran on Friday, after the character declares his love for landlady Shelley, who rejects his advances.