EXCLUSIVE: Coronation Street star Chris Harper revealed the heartfelt reason why he has no desire to reprise his role as villain Nathan Curtis.
Chris Harper revealed that he has no plans to return to Coronation Street—and for a very important reason.
The 47-year-old actor first appeared as Nathan Curtis in late 2016, and it soon became evident that his character had dark and disturbing motives.
Nathan manipulated and groomed teenager Bethany Platt (Lucy Fallon), leading to a high-profile exploitation storyline that resonated with thousands of viewers.
Fortunately, Bethany found the strength to speak out about the abuse she had endured, resulting in Nathan’s imprisonment. However, just seven years later, he was released on license and returned to the Cobbles.
Although Nathan was wrongly accused of Lauren’s murder, he was discovered with memory sticks containing illegal content and was subsequently sent back to prison.
Not long after joining Coronation Street, Chris began collaborating with the NSPCC, a UK charity dedicated to protecting children and preventing abuse.
Ahead of the NSPCC’s Number Day, Chris shared that while he loved his time on Coronation Street, he could never reprise his role, as Nathan is beyond redemption.
He explained: “It’s about Bethany. It’s about all the Bethanys. I don’t believe a pre-watershed show is the right place to explore a remorseful paedophile. He should never return and be rebranded as a lovable rogue running The Rovers Return.
“As much as I’d love to come back because I adore the cast and crew of Corrie, Nathan should never be forgiven. What he did was unforgivable, and if he were to seek redemption, it should be in a different show.”
On Friday, February 6, the former soap star participated in supporting the charity’s annual Number Day, during which numerous primary schools nationwide engaged in various maths-related activities and games.
As part of Number Day 2025, Chris visited Dulwich Wood Primary School, where he led an assembly to encourage students to explore fun and engaging ways to enjoy maths.
During Bethany’s storyline, Chris collaborated closely with the NSPCC to ensure an accurate portrayal of her experiences on screen.
To achieve this, Coronation Street partnered with a survivor and campaigner associated with the NSPCC, using her personal experiences as a foundation for the storyline.
“Meeting her and later witnessing the impact of Corrie’s messaging, along with the NSPCC’s efforts, in making a difference to people’s lives was incredible,” the actor shared. “Being part of it was amazing, and I didn’t want to step away.”
Chris emphasized the importance of ensuring the soap does not overlook the traumatic abuse Bethany endured, as real-life survivors never forget their experiences.
He stated: “I was confident that Coronation Street would stay true to their commitment to making Bethany’s past a lasting part of her story. She hasn’t simply erased her horrific ordeal over the years—it continues to influence her present storyline.”
“I’ve personally heard from many people who have shared their experiences with me, expressing how much it means to see this representation. It’s an honor to support the NSPCC and the incredible work they do.”
Not long after Bethany’s grooming storyline began, the soap received praise for shedding light on a serious issue that is rarely addressed.
Although Chris knew the storyline would spark conversations, he admitted he hadn’t anticipated the profound effect it would have on viewers.
“The impact it had, I don’t think even Coronation Street fully realized,” he said.
“Day after day, when I was filming the show, people would approach me and share that they were finally able to speak about the abuse they had endured. The reach was incredible.”
Chris added: “The number of people who came forward and told me how deeply the storyline affected them was always emotional, especially when it was someone who had experienced abuse and had never opened up to anyone. They used the Coronation Street storyline as a catalyst to seek help and understand they weren’t alone.”
“It was truly incredible and deeply moving.”
The NSPCC’s Number Day has been held annually since 1999, marking its 25th year. The event has raised millions to support NSPCC services, helping fund around 200,000 Childline counseling sessions each year.
Discussing the significance of Number Day, Chris shared: “It’s an incredibly empowering and fantastic initiative the NSPCC runs in primary schools across the country. They arrange about 200,000 Childline counseling sessions each year.”
“The funds raised through this event are incredibly valuable. But beyond that, Number Day is also filled with engaging and enjoyable activities.”
Chris went on to say, “While the NSPCC’s work carries such important messages, this day is more about having fun with numbers. It’s wonderful to be part of it in such a playful way.”
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