Coronation Street's Liam Connor is to be killed off at the end of the year in a 'whodunnit' murder mystery.

The former knicker factory boss, played by 31-year-old Rob James-Collier, announced his decision to quit the ITV soap in February amid fears over typecasting.

It has today emerged that his character will be 'brutally murdered' when one of three well-known Weatherfield residents exact their revenge.

A soap source told The Mirror: "Rob actually wanted his character to be killed off - a bit like Phil Middlemiss did when he also wanted the demise of his character, bookie Des Barnes.

"But at the same time it provides us with the fantastic opportunity to give the viewers some sensational TV. The producers are rubbing their hands at the prospect of the whole murder scenario."

They added: "People are sad to see Rob go as he is such a lovely bloke. But he was adamant that he wanted to leave."

Rob joined Coronation Street in 2006 and appeared in storylines which have seen his character plunge into a gorge from a cliff top, marry Maria Sutherland (Samia Smith) and sleep with his sister-in-law Carla Connor (Alison King).

Earlier this year, he won the 'Sexiest Male' gong for a second year running at the British Soap Awards and revealed soon afterwards that he is "glad" to be leaving the Manchester-based drama so he can ditch his sex symbol image.