Coronation Street's Derek Griffiths QUITS life on the cobbles after just one year on the soap to focus on stage projects

Published: 15:09 GMT, 13 March 2017 | Updated: 15:42 GMT, 13 March 2017

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He made a splash as likable mechanic Freddie Smith on the Cobbles last year.

And now it's been reported that Coronation Street star Derek Griffiths, 70, has quit the long-running soap a year after joining the ITV show.

According to The Sun, the accomplished TV and theatre actor is about to swap Webster's Autocentre for life on stage in a production of Driving Miss Daisy.

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Moving on: Coronation Street star Derek Griffiths has quit the long-running soap a year after joining the ITV show

A source said: 'Derek has been a great asset to the soap and has thoroughly enjoyed the filming.

'He's looking to the future and can’t wait to get stuck in with the play.'

MailOnline have contacted reps for Coronation Street for comment.

The Woking native - who found fame on children's show Play School in the 1980s - joined the cobbles in March 2016 befriending Kylie Platt, played by Paula Lane.

His character Freddie arrived in Weatherfield following the death of his wife, a client of Kylie’s at the beauty salon.

Stage is calling: According to The Sun , the accomplished TV and theatre actor is about to swap Webster's Autocentre for life on stage in a production of Driving Miss Daisy

He first shot to fame while presenting eighties kids show Playschool alongside Chloe Ashcroft, Johnny Ball and Brian Cant in the Eighties.

Since then, he has become an accomplished stage actor appearing on the West End in Beauty and The Beast as well as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

When his casting was revealed in December, Derek explained he was thrilled to join a stellar cast and follow in the footsteps of one of his acting heroes, Violet Carson.

Back in the day: PlaySchool with Johnny Ball, Carol Leader and Derek interpret Miss Muffet in the eighties show

He said: 'I remember being a young boy and watching Violet Carson [who played Ena Sharples] on Coronation Street.

'She was a brilliant character that people loved to hate, and later when I became an actor and played the villain in panto many times those are qualities I would bring to the role.

'When I came for my audition one of the first things I saw was a huge photo of Violet Carson on the wall. I am very much looking forward to walking in those hallowed footsteps.'

The stage calls: The Woking native - who found fame on children's show Play School in the 1980s - joined the cobbles in March 2016 befriending Kylie Platt, played by Paula Lane (Pictured)