CORONATION Street’s Tristan Gemmill enjoyed a low-key leaving party last night with his co-stars after his character’s gory end was revealed.
The actor, who plays chef Robert Preston, said he’d had a “fantastic meal & wonderful night” with on-screen wife Kym Marsh and Corrie favourites Sair Khan, Kate Ford, Ryan Prescott and Stirling Gallacher.
Tristan, 50, devastated fans back in April when he revealed he was leaving the ITV soap, writing on Twitter: “Folks, I just wanted to let you know that the time has come for me to hang up the chefs gear and head for pastures new.”
And his colleagues paid tribute to him last night as they gathered at Australasia in Manchester on Monday.
Stirling, who plays Paula Martin on Corrie, wrote on Twitter: Fab staff, Top food, Lush evening in the company.”
Whilst Kym, who has also exited the soap, tweeted: “Such a great night tonight @AustralasiaMcr food was epic, service was amazing and the Company was fab! @TristanGemmill @wirlygallacher @kateford76 xx”
The group took snaps of their dinner date last night
The Sun told how Tristan’s character will meet a gory end on Christmas day when there are two shootings, one resulting in Robert’s death.
Derek Milligan decides to get revenge on Gary Windass after their business partnership soured and furiously wields a gun in the Rovers.
But during the firefight, which plays out on December 25, Michelle Connors partner Robert is fatally shot. Another resident is also wounded.
A soap source said: Derek gets drunk and starts waving a gun around the pub.
“Theres a tense stand-off then a massive fight between the two men and two people are shot, including Robert, who dies on Christmas Day.
Tristan is among a host of names leaving the soap with Kym, who plays his onscreen partner Michelle, also on the way out.
Kym told The Sun: “When I was lucky enough to be offered four episodes I could never in my wildest dreams have thought Id be here 13 years later. Its been an incredibly difficult decision but it feels like the right time for me to explore some other roles.”
Michelle isnt being killed off, however, leaving the door open for a potential return.
Tristan has announced he is quitting Coronation Street
The character Robert Preston had been on the show since 1996 when he met and married the troublesome Tracy Barlow.
However, they divorced in 2002 after he (correctly) accused her of having an affair with his best friend, Graham.
He then remained in London, where he lived with Tracy but she later returned to Weatherfield.
Tristan took over the role when Robert came back to Weatherfield for Deidre Barlow’s funeral and tried to win Tracy back.
