ITV bosses claim they had “no choice” but to sack Chris Fountain from Corrie after his sick rapping about rape on the internet.

The shamed actor 25, had a showdown meeting yesterday with shocked producer Stuart Blackburn and other executives who asked him: “What has happened?”.

Fountain, who has played mechanic Tommy *Duckworth since March 2011, failed to defend his decision to post online videos where he posed as masked rapper The Phantom and spouted obscene lyrics.

Bosses made the decision to terminate his contract straight after the meeting.

A senior Corrie source said: “It was the only action we could take. Chris left us no choice with what he has done and this seemed to be appropriate action.

“Everyone at ITV signs contracts which have a code of conduct and Chris is in breach of his.

"These videos were shocking and disgusting and Chris couldn’t defend them. No one could.”

Fountain’s contract was due to last until February, but it has been torn up and it is believed the official reason given could be gross misconduct.

An ITV spokesman confirmed yesterday: “Chris Fountain’s contract with ITV has been terminated as a result of the unacceptable comments he made in a number of online clips.”

Bosses decided they cannot edit out Tommy Duckworth immediately so he will still feature in episodes this week.

Tommy could even survive six to eight weeks as filming on the ITV soap takes place up to two months in advance.

The big problem facing bosses last night was writing him out in a credible storyline.

Our source added: “We started work hours after the meeting to try to make this work.

“Tommy has to go as soon as possible but we have to find a way to make it look like it was planned even though it has happened because of a crisis.”

Ex-Hollyoaks star Fountain told friends he feared the videos could “finish him” as he sweated on his future over the weekend.

In one distasteful clip, he rapped about dragging a girl in pink underwear upstairs and boasted: “I will ******* anybody up in the worst way, rape a b**** on her birthday.”

Another shocking lyric said: “I’m a nasty ****, I will punch you in the face and you look like you’ve been having some *acupuncture ‘cos my fist is lethal.

“I’m a *******ing hero, you’ve got *******ing zero. I’m a mother****ing demon, I’ll stab you in the face with a needle.”

On Friday, Fountain released a statement and said: “I would like to sincerely apologise for any offence I have caused.

“I am deeply ashamed by the lyrics and very much regret my behaviour.”

Fountain added: “The videos were made over a year ago when I was experimenting with music and I’ve not done anything like it since and nor will I.”

This is not the first time Corrie has been hit with problems in recent months.

Michael Le Vell, 48, best known as Kevin Webster, is due in Manchester crown court on September 2 to face 19 sex charges.

Veteran actor Bill Roache, 81, who plays Ken Barlow, will face trial in January over allegations of historic sexual offences against five girls.

Both deny the charges against them and are currently off screen as they await trial.


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I'm with you on that. It's sick.

He was in Channel 4's CBB4 :p

Oh yeah, sorry, my mistake! :hugesmile:

There is no way Michael is going in Celebrity Big Brother :joker:

If Chris went in I would actually jizz.

No way Michael Le Vell or Bill Roache, both with court appearances coming up would go in the house. Chris Fountain is the only possibility.

Find it hard to believe that anyone could actually want ANY of these three in the house, two paedophiles and someone who glorifies rape???

You surely can't be serious! :conf: they are the very dregs of society.

What the f.....



Potential sex offenders in the house? 1 less viewer if that happens.

It would turn a lot of viewers off.

Why anyone would want to watch these scumbags and call it entertainment is beyond me.

Chris could the other 2 won't they have to go to court

Exactly. People are forgetting why Jim Davidson had to pull out. William Roache wouldn't do it in a million years anyway never mind when he's got rape claims over his head, the same with Michael Le Velle. Chris Fountain would be an incredible signing.

Just being pedantic but they have not been convicted of anything yet...

I definitely don't want Bill or Michael in (particularly Michael if the rumours of his alleged crimes are correct) and I'm not even sure their bail terms would allow it but Chris I can see being put in....he has committed no crime that I am aware of - other than serious stupidity. He "rapped" (using that term loosely) about sex and knife crimes and was trying very badly to be gangster....so they could very possibly put him in

Agreed. Really the other two are only in the headline to drum up publicity.

Chris Fountain was sacked by Coronation Street after a video of him dressed as rapper "Phantom" went global online [WENN]
Bookies yesterday reported a flood of bets on sacked Chris Fountain being on the reality show.

And it was revealed that Michael Le Vell and William Roache, who are due for separate trials on child rape charges, are wanted on the programme at some point.

Fountain, 25, was booted off the ITV soap on Monday for making a sick rap about rape on the internet, disguised in a Phantom mask.

After an admission of wrong-doing and a full apology, he was said to be ready to go on CBB.

A new series starts tomorrow night on Channel 5 and yesterday bookies Coral were offering odds of 4-1 that he would make a shock appearance.

A betting industry source said: “There are rumours that he will use the show to explain himself and try to rebuild his career.

“Money has gone on him to do so. There’s obviously something going on behind the scenes.”

Le Vell, 48, who has played Coronation Street mechanic Kevin Webster for 30 years, is due on trial next month on 19 charges of rape, indecent assault and sexual activity with a child.
Michael Le Vell is also a potential target for the show [WENN]
“There are rumours that he will use the show to explain himself and try to rebuild his career.”
A betting industry source
Roache, 81, who has played Ken Barlow since 1960, is due to go on trial in January on historic sex allegations involving five girls, including the rape of a 15-year-old.

Both men, who deny all the charges, have been suspended from Corrie as they fight to clear their names.

CBB producers have targeted them as potential contestants in the future should they be found not guilty.

A source said: “Big Brother could be the perfect place for them to engage with the public again.”

Yesterday Fountain’s girlfriend, 23-year-old dancer Jessica Derrick, also hinted that he might be about to spring a massive surprise.

She posted an inspirational quote on Instagram which revealed Fountain’s torment at his axing by ITV bosses from his role as mechanic Tommy Duckworth.

Her message read: “Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.”

A swift return to the big time looked increasingly likely last night, as many fans sympathised with the star on Twitter and accused Corrie bosses of over- reacting.
Fountain masked as Phantom where he seemed to sing songs glorifying rape and violent conduct
They sacked him after he was unmasked as a mystery rapper who seemed to glorify rape and sexual violence in his song lyrics.

Pals said Jessica, who has been dating him since they met in Marbella last summer, is devastated.

One revealed: “She is in bits over this.

“There is no way she would be with him for a second if she thought those were his genuine views towards rape and violence.

“It was prankster stuff among friends and was foolish and thoughtless maybe, but not evil.

“Everyone is certain this will be a blip in his career rather than a wrecking ball.’’

A Corrie source said: “Chris is really angry at being sacked.

“He feels he has been hung out to dry. He kept saying: ‘It was a year ago.’

“Chris offered to make a donation or visit to a rape crisis centre but neither of those things were listened to. Deep down he thinks another reason he was sacked was because they’d had enough of his character.’’

Scott Thomas, whose actor brother Ryan, 29, plays Jason Grimshaw on the soap, has also tweeted his support for Fountain, saying: “Can’t believe what the press has done 2 Chris at Corrie.

“The guy has a heart of gold n has lost his job over a joke with some mates! disgusting.”
Bill Roache is another Corrie star tipped for entry [WENN]

I'd say this is about right, Tina (the character) is leaving soon, and he did an interview a few weeks back saying he hoped he would be kept on as his contract was coming to an end in March.

I know. That is why i didn't reply to the post. :blush:

Le Vell wouldn't be able to do this series anyway as his trial starts on September 2nd - 11 days before the final.