Ex-Coronation Street star Chris Fountain is left stranded in Bali and unable to return home

Ex-Coronation Street actor Chris Fountain is stranded in Bali and unable to get home during the coronavirus pandemic. 

The actor, 32, has been stuck in Southeast Asia since March and is still unable to get a flight back to the UK.

Chris, who played Tommy Duckworth on the ITV1 soap until he was fired in 2013, initially flew to the paradise island on a holiday with friends and will have to stay there until flight restrictions are relaxed.  

In March he wrote on Instagram to say: ‘Currently stuck in Bali, so me and my friends have travelled to a remote part of the island to distance ourselves from the masses. 

‘Everywhere is eerily quiet. No flights home as yet and no obvious right answers as to what to do, missing my family and friends but trying to make the best of the situation. 

‘To everyone at home, stay safe, be kind and do the right thing to get this virus stopped as soon as possible.’

He then posted another snap with the caption: ‘The whole world is in chaos, everyone is social distancing but somehow I hope that this will eventually bring us closer together than ever.  

‘I’m making sure that I stay grateful for my family and my friends and when this is all over, I know for a fact that the significance they hold in my life will be even greater!  

‘Stay safe people, we’re in this together.’ 

On Sunday, the former soap star shared a shirtless snap and wrote: ‘Anyone know when those new James Bond auditions are?’ 

After he was fired from Coronation Street in 2013, the actor apologised for the N-word lyrics he rapped while in disguise as The Phantom on YouTube.   

He said the explicit lyrics were ‘blurted out in a moment of madness’.

He added in a statement: ‘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,’ said the actor, who said he accepted ITV had ‘no choice’ but to end his contract. 

‘The lyrics that appeared online were influenced by a style of hiphop that I was experimenting with at a private freestyle session and blurted out in a moment of madness.

‘There is absolutely no excuse – I take complete responsibility for my actions – but they were in no way thought out or represent at all my attitude towards women, rape and violence.

‘I just want to apologise from the bottom of my heart to everyone who I have offended or upset. 

‘I completely understand that ITV had no choice but to terminate my contract today. I have had two wonderful years playing Tommy Duckworth with only happy memories of my time on Coronation Street. 

‘I am mortified that I have brought so much embarrassment to my colleagues and employers these last few days.

‘My biggest regret however is not to do with losing my job, but that I have hurt and let down so many people including those in a vulnerable situation and I am so very deeply ashamed of this.

‘I am also mortified to have put my mother, grandad and girlfriend through the last few days which they are hurt and bewildered by and so do not deserve. I am so sorry. Once again to everyone who I have let down and hurt. I am deeply sorry.’