Former Coronation Street star Nick Cochrane has admitted he worries ITV could cast another actor to play the character of Andy McDonald.
The 46-year-old left the Corrie cobbles as Andy back in 1997, though he has returned to Weatherfield several times since for brief appearances.
Speaking on the Distinct Nostalgia podcast, Nick confessed he feared soap bosses would replace him on the show if they were to bring Andy back in upcoming scenes.
He said: “What I dread is Andy coming back and it’s not me because, let’s be honest, that could happen, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.”
Nick played Andy on the soap up until his exit in 1997 (Image: Granada Television)
Actor replacements are not uncommon on Corrie – the role of Nick Tilsley, currently played by Ben Price, has been assumed by two other actors in the past.
On top of that, fan favourite Tracy Barlow has been played by two different actresses, with Kate Ford taking over from Dawn Acton in 2002.
The character of Andy was first introduced to viewers back in 1989, playing the more sensible brother to Simon Gregson’s rambunctious Steve McDonald.
Nick Cochrane has opened up about his fears about another actor playing Andy McDonald (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
For many years, he was a bartender at the Rover’s Return, though his character wasn’t a part of any major storylines for a long time.
Andy left Weatherfield for an exotic new life teaching English in Barcelona – though, in reality, he was written out of the soap.
Reflecting on the experience, Nick said: “That’s not my game and I think I was overlooked. I was picking up plenty of episodes because I was always in the Rovers in other people’s episodes so it was easy money.”
Andy has returned to Weatherfield on several occasions over the years (Image: Unknown)
The former soap star also added that he was axed from the soap prior to the invention of “reality TV” – ruling out invitations to appear on shows such as Celebrity Big Brother and I’m A Celeb.
He told listeners: “Timing was a bad thing. If I’d have been another five years, eight years later when you’ve got I’m a Celebrity, Celebrity Big Brother, celebrity cook shows, I’m a celebrity mowing my lawn…
“I could have made a very good living out of not doing anything to be honest and being filmed doing it.”
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm on ITV.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
