Duffy to leave Corrie - again

Keith Duffy will leave 'Coronation Street' later this year.

The Boyzone star - who portrays lothario barman Ciaran McCarthy in the ITV soap – has revealed he has chosen not to renew his contract in November because he will be busy touring with the band and wants to make them his priority once again.

He said: "I need to concentrate on being with the boys. We've got a lot coming up so I've decided they'll take priority. I love the show so it's been a hard decision."

Producers on the long-running soap were reportedly keen for the Irish star to stay on, but the 35-year-old singer felt it was time for change.

Boyzone recently saw their album 'Brother' - the first without bandmate Stephen Gately who died in October last year - go to number one in the UK charts.

They are also currently in the middle of preparing for a tour and promotional work in South East Asia in 2011.

Keith has previously spoken about how 'Coronation Street' helped him cope with the death of his friend.

He said: "I was very bad for five weeks after he passed. I couldn't see any light at the end of the tunnel. I didn't feel like the grieving process was progressing. I felt stuck.

"And then I started back at 'Coronation Street', which helped bring me out of it. It's still difficult. You can focus on what you need to on a day-to-day basis."