John Stape 'to commit suicide'

'Coronation Street's John Stape is set to commit suicide.

The deranged teacher - who is currently covering up for three deaths he was involved in - will leave Weatherfield later this year and while his death is being kept a closely-guarded secret, it is thought he will take his own life.

John (Graeme Hawley) has been racked by guilt after watching friend Colin Fishwick - whose identity he had stolen so he could become a teacher again after spending time in jail for kidnapping Rosie Webster - die from a heart attack before burying his body in the foundations of the Underworld factory.

He then killed Charlotte Hoyle after she began blackmailing him over Colin's death and he then murdered Colin's mother Joy as she tried to track down her son.

When a disaster at Underworld sparks fresh building work, John - who has a three-month-old daughter, Hope, with wife Fiz - fears Colin's body will be exposed so decides to commit suicide.

News of John's departure won't come as a surprise as he recently revealed he expects his alter-ego to be killed off whenever his six-month contract is up for renewal.

He has said: "Every six months I expect to be gone. I can't see there being a happy ever after for John Stape. But I just turn up, do what I'm told and don't think about it."