Christopher Harper, known for his role as the notorious paedophile Nathan Curtis on Coronation Street, has officially confirmed his departure from the show. After a dramatic return to the cobbles earlier this year, Harper’s character faced a tumultuous and gripping storyline. In a shocking twist, Nathan was exposed as a follower of Lauren Bolton’s missing person’s account, immediately becoming a prime suspect in her disappearance. The plot thickened when Bethany Platt, Nathan’s former victim, and her boyfriend Daniel Osborne, along with her mother Sarah, became convinced of Nathan’s involvement.

The situation escalated quickly. Nathan was tracked down to a construction site where Weatherfield resident Gary Windass physically confronted him. Following this altercation, Gary used funds from the sale of Underworld to bribe Nathan into leaving town. Sarah Platt, determined to see Nathan punished, attempted to plant incriminating evidence in his van but was thwarted by corrupt officer Kit Green. Kit, eager to solve the case himself, intervened and planted the evidence, leading to Nathan’s arrest for breaching a restraining order.

Nathan’s legal troubles were compounded by his representation from the devious solicitor Joel Dearing, who was actually behind the orchestrated plot. Last week, Sarah Platt faced questioning by DS Lisa Swain regarding her role in framing Nathan. Despite the legal and personal upheavals, Nathan’s storyline appears to be wrapping up as Christopher Harper transitions to a new role in the touring production of the play Art. Harper has expressed that his time on Coronation Street is definitively over, emphasizing that Nathan’s character arc should not include any redemptive storyline. Harper has been clear about his stance, stating that Nathan’s presence should not overshadow Bethany’s journey and that he has served his purpose on the show.

Nathan Curtis first appeared in 2016, where he was depicted as a manipulative and abusive predator who exploited Bethany Platt, a teenage girl working at his tanning salon. He groomed her over several months, manipulating her into a relationship and isolating her from her loved ones. His exploitation extended to pimping Bethany out to his associates before finally proposing to her. The storyline depicted Nathan’s ultimate downfall as he and his cronies faced justice, with Bethany finding help and support from her family. Harper’s departure marks the end of a controversial and intense chapter for the character of Nathan Curtis, signaling a new direction for both the actor and the show.