Jack Carroll, the 26-year-old actor and comedian who rose to fame as a runner-up on Britains Got Talent, has quietly exited the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street after two years on the cobbles. Carroll portrayed Bobby Crawford, the cheeky nephew of Weatherfield favourite Carla Connor and the secret son of Rob Donovan, a character with a dramatic and troubled past.
Carroll joined the soap in late 2023, stepping into a role that intertwined him deeply with some of the show's most established characters. Bobby's arrival marked a new chapter for Carla, following her split from Peter Barlow, and introduced fresh storylines involving family secrets, friendships, and personal challenges. Over his time on the show, Bobby became a fan favourite for his blend of humour and heart, navigating complex relationships and emotional arcs.
Despite his characters prominence, Carrolls departure was notably low-key. His final scenes aired in May 2025, depicting Bobbys sudden decision to leave Weatherfield and head to Spain to visit close friend Simon Barlow. This exit came after a tense storyline where Bobby was wrongly accused by Lauren Bolton of blackmailing her, which ultimately shattered their friendship. Rather than a dramatic farewell, Bobbys exit was portrayed as a spontaneous holiday, leaving viewers surprised by the subtlety of his departure.
According to sources, Carroll filmed his last scenes back in March 2025, with the door deliberately left open for a potential return. A spokesperson told The Mirror, 2Bobby has had a dramatic couple of years on the cobbles, but the time has come to bid farewell. Actor Jack enjoyed his time on the soap, but its time to move on. Viewers wont see the character exit the street as hes already left, with Jack filming his final scenes some time ago. The door has been left open for Jack should he wish to come back to the show in the future. With his Aunty Carla there, Bobby will always have a place in Weatherfield.
This understated exit contrasts with some of the more high-profile departures from the show in recent months, including the deaths of characters like Craig Tinker and Mason Radcliffe, as well as the exits of longstanding cast members such as Helen Worth and Sue Cleaver. Bobbys exit, however, reflects a natural conclusion to his storyline rather than a definitive goodbye.
Carrolls portrayal of Bobby was notable not only for the characters dramatic twists but also for its representation of disability on mainstream television. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 16 months old, Carroll has spoken openly about how the showrunners tailored Bobbys character to reflect his own personality and experiences. In a 2024 interview on This Morning, Carroll explained, I think the way theyve gone about doing it and portraying disabilities theyve done it in a really smart way. Its a facet of the character and theres lots of other stuff going on. It shows him as a human being too which is really important to do.
His role on Coronation Street was a significant step in his acting career, which began shortly after his 2013 Britains Got Talent success. Since then, Carroll has appeared in various TV shows including Trollied, Doctors, Father Brown, and the feature film Eaten By Lions. He also gained acclaim for his stand-up comedy, performing on shows like Live At the Apollo and completing a national tour.
During his time on the soap, Bobbys storylines were often intense and emotionally charged. One of the most gripping arcs involved the revelation that he was the secret son of Rob Donovan, a convicted murderer serving life for the killing of Tina McIntyre. This connection complicated Bobbys relationship with Carla, who had to grapple with the shock of her nephews dark family ties. Further drama unfolded when Bobby planned to help Rob escape after Rob kidnapped Carla, creating tension and suspense for viewers.
Bobby also formed close friendships with several younger characters on the street, including Max Turner, Simon Barlow, Lauren Bolton, and Betsy Swain. His interactions were often laced with humour and mischief, adding a lighter tone to his more serious storylines. However, his friendship with Lauren Bolton ended abruptly following the blackmail accusation, which served as the catalyst for his departure.
The characters decision to leave Weatherfield and join Simon Barlow on his travels was a fitting, if understated, conclusion to his arc. Simon himself had departed the show earlier, leaving to sail the world with his father Peter Barlow, and Bobbys choice to follow him symbolised a fresh start away from the cobbles.
Carrolls exit comes amid a wave of cast changes on Coronation Street throughout 2024 and 2025. Alongside Bobbys departure, the show has seen the exits of Eliza Woodrow, Paul Foreman, Summer Spellman, Simon Barlow, Alya Nazir, and others. These shifts mark a period of transition as the soap continues to evolve and introduce new storylines and characters.
Since leaving Coronation Street, Jack Carroll has been keeping busy with new projects, including a podcast titled Love in the North, which celebrates love stories from northern England. His ongoing work reflects his versatility as both an actor and comedian, and his commitment to sharing authentic narratives.
For fans of Bobby Crawford and Jack Carroll, the open-ended nature of his exit offers hope that he may one day return to Weatherfield. Until then, his time on the cobbles remains a memorable chapter, notable for its heartfelt performances and meaningful representation of disability on British television.
