Coronation Street actor, Bill Tarmey, is said to be leaving the ITV soap at some point next year.

Tarmey who plays Jack Duckworth is said to be about to sign his last one year contract with the channel.

“He wants to get to three decades in Corrie, which is a huge achievement,” a friend told the News Of The World.

“Bill’s not getting any younger and wants to enjoy retirement. He’s got a place in Tenerife and is looking forward to being out there.

“He is not in the best of health and does find the workload on Corrie very tiring.”