Despite only arriving on the cobbles mere weeks ago, Mick Michaelis is set to wave Weatherfield goodbye as actor Joe Layton leaves Coronation Street.
Mick arrived alongside wife Lou Michaelis (Farrel Heggarty) and wasted no time in making enemies of the locals.
Branded the ‘neighbours from hell’ by show boss Kate Brooks, Mick and Lou have caused upset with their loud music and raucous behaviour, sparking complaints from the likes of Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) and George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley).
During his first scenes, it was revealed that Mick was the van driver who had been targeting Chesney Brown (Sam Aston) for weeks.
Having settled into life in Mawdsley Street, Mick made an enemy of Daisy Midgeley (Charlotte Jordan) following her devastating miscarriage, when he refused to take no for an answer when she asked him to leave after inviting him to have a drink with her.
More recently, he has embarked on a feud with Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney) and Ronnie Bailey (Vinta Morgan), after the hotel owner refused to pay the electrician’s call-out fee.
Now, it seems Mick won’t be rubbing his neighbours up the wrong way for much longer, as the character is set to bow out of the show in the coming weeks.
According to The Sun, Joe is set to film his final scenes as antagonist Mick next month.
‘There was a lot excitement when Joe joined the soap as Mick, but his time is going to very short and sweet,’ a source told the publication.
‘He’s already caused a real stir and his exit over the summer is going to be great telly.
‘He only ever signed a fixed date contract, but fans were really hoping he would be kept on.’
Metro understands that the character will depart in the summer, with plenty more drama to come before then.
Actor Joe, who has also appeared in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D and Lockerbie, previously explained how he hadn’t been prepared for the pace of filming on Coronation Street.
‘I’d be lying if there wasn’t a degree of snobbery in the industry towards soaps. However, having filmed for several weeks now, the more strongly I feel that working on a soap should be mandatory for all actors at some stage in their career.
‘It’s what I imagine TV’s answer might be to rep theatre of times gone by. Learning on your feet, surrounded by highly experienced and skilled professionals, across all departments.
‘There is no time to get in your own head, you have to trust your instincts and go for it.’
