Chris: I need to refresh myself

Coronation Street's Chris Gascoyne has admitted he needs a break from the show because the drama of Peter Barlow's life is all getting too much for him.

Peter is set to leave the country for a few months with lover Carla Connor, so that Chris and co-star Alison King can have a rest from the mayhem of their characters' recent chaos.

Chris told Inside Soap magazine: "There's no chance of a break on Coronation Street - it's just one big storyline after another!

"Things snowball, and you can't really stay on top of your work so much. I just need some time out to refresh myself, then I'll come back raring to go once more."

Life has not been easy for alcoholic Peter. He was left disabled by the tram crash during Corrie's live episode in 2010, and girlfriend Leanne Battersby married him in hospital, believing he might die, even though she was having an affair with her ex Nick Tilsley.

Peter then returned to alcoholism as he struggled to come to terms with his injuries and the shock of learning the truth about Leanne and Nick's affair.

Since then his and Leanne's marriage has been rocked after she suffered a miscarriage and Peter began an affair with fellow alcoholic Carla Connor. After he and Leanne split, she was awarded custody of his son Simon, and now Peter is plotting to kidnap him.

Chris said: "I don't really have too much planned while I'm off. I'm just looking forward to having some family time and living a normal life!"