Coronation Street viewers are left in tears as Peter Barlow’s emotional exit plays out after 23 years on the soap

Coronation Street viewers were left in tears as Peter Barlow's final scenes unfolded on Boxing Day.

It was revealed that actor Chris Gascoyne quit the show in July, but fans weren't prepared for such an emotional farewell in Tuesday's episode.

Following on from the Christmas Day cliffhanger, when Peter's wife Carla (Alison King) bought him a one-way ticket to Weatherfield, the pair began rowing when Peter accused Carla of trying to get rid of him.

After a tense and emotional heart-to-heart conversation, Carla convinced Peter to join his friend Mickey on his yacht, reasoning that they would be better off without each other and ended their toxic relationship.

Then came the time for Peter's emotional farewell to his family, but disaster struck when his son Simon (Alex Bain) was nowhere to be seen, and Peter was forced to run away and take the tram without getting a chance to say goodbye to take.

Viewers were left in tears at the scenes, taking to say #Corrie';

'Carla lets Peter go so he can be happy and not have an ending like Aidan, but Peter just wants her to go with him #corrie';

“Chris Gascoyne has worked tirelessly for years developing one of television's most wonderful, complex and vulnerable characters. I'm in awe of him. he will forever deserve so much praise + appreciation. peter barlow you will always be so dear to us #corrie';

'I really hope Peter comes back one day #Corrie'; 'Tissues stripped Those were brutal boys. Hello Peter, I will miss you. Peter and Carla split, hurting actor legend, leaving show #corrie';

'I stand by the fact that Peter Barlow is one of the best #Corrie characters of all time – and Chris Gascoyne is one of the show's great actors. Beautiful stripped-down episode on the occasion of his departure X';

'I know he wanted out, but Carla letting Peter, whom she claims to love, leave doesn't seem credible to me #Corrie'; 'that's it, Peter gone and that's the end of Peter and Carla… I'm so heartbroken I don't even know what to say #Corrie';

'An emotional #Corrie, a beautifully put together exit for Peter, well played Chris and Alison. I've said before that Peter is one of my favorite characters and Chris has given me some of my favorite moments on the show over the years.';

'He has come and gone over the years, I feel like Peter needs a rest in terms of character and they have written him out well #Corrie'; 'Peter is leaving and I'm in FLOODS #Corrie';

Chris first joined the soap in 2000 and made his debut during the live 40th anniversary episode.

He later quit in 2003 and quickly returned in 2007, before quitting again in 2014.

The actor rejoined the soap in 2016 and has continued to play Peter since then, in storylines such as alcohol addiction and custody battles.

His on-screen father, Ken Barlow, has seen seven actors play the role of his son, with Chris possibly being the last in his dramatic exit.

John Heannau played it from 1965 to 1970, before Chris Dormer took over for a year, before Mark Duncan took over a year later in 1971.

Ken Barlow actor William Roache's real-life son Linus Roache then joined the soap as Peter for two years in 1973, before Joseph McKenner made his debut for a year in 1977.

Speaking about his final scenes, Chris revealed it's been “amazing working with” on-screen wife Alison over the last fourteen years, adding: “We never really rehearse the scenes before we do it,” he said.

“You get one or two takes and I know roughly how Ali will play it. I just respond and she responds to me; that's actually the fun of it, and I think if you don't know what's going to happen next in a scene, the audience doesn't know either. [either].

“When I read that last script it was emotional, not because I was leaving, but I felt really moved by it.

“I think it's as well written a script as you're going to get on Coronation Street and I think most people will have had exactly the same thing in their lives so they'll identify with it.”

Yet he refused to permanently close the door on Weatherfield, adding: “Of course I have not made a statement [a return] outside, it's been such a part of my life.

'I grew up with so many people there, but I need peace and quiet and doing something different isn't making me any younger.

“What upset me, though, was walking away from the people I work with, and I don't just mean the actors. I've known all these people for almost half my life.'

Meanwhile, Chris' on-screen son Alex Bain is also quitting the hit ITV soap after 15 years, it is reported.

The actor, 22, has played Simon Barlow since he was seven years old and will leave this summer in an explosive storyline.

Alex, who became a father in real life in 2018, is said to be 'very excited' to be leaving the ITV soap.

A source said The sun: 'Alex is sad to leave Coronation Street because it really is like a family, but he realizes the time is right to move on.

“He's very excited about the future and other opportunities.”

Alex has been involved in a number of controversial storylines at the Cobbles, winning the British Soap Award for Best Young Actor in 2011 and taking another gong at the Inside Soap Awards in 2014.