Chris Fountain, who plays Tommy Duckworth in the ITV soap, Coronation Street, has been suspended after videos on YouTube showed him using “unacceptable” views and language.
The videos have since been pulled, but they showed him perform under the pseudonym “The Phantom” and rap about violence and rape, although an edited video has been uploaded by a user called “Live Leak.”
In a statement, the 25-year-old said:
“I would like to sincerely apologise for any offence I have caused. I am deeply ashamed by the lyrics and very much regret my behaviour.
“The videos were made over a year ago when I was experimenting with music and I’ve not done anything like it since and nor will I.”
A spokesperson at Coronation Street said that the language used and views expressed in the video were “totally unacceptable” and that the actor has been suspended “pending further inquiries into this matter.”
