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STEVEN Arnold has revealed a brand new career that's worlds away from the Coronation Street cobbles.

The former actor, 49, was a permanent fixture on the ITV soap for 15 years.

Steven Arnold has revealed a brand new career that's worlds away from the Coronation Street cobbles
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Steven Arnold has revealed a brand new career that's worlds away from the Coronation Street cobblesCredit: ITV
The former actor, 49, was a permanent fixture on the ITV soap for 15 years
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The former actor, 49, was a permanent fixture on the ITV soap for 15 yearsCredit: Rex
Steven will square off with Bruce Jones, pictured, for a wrestling match next month
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Steven will square off with Bruce Jones, pictured, for a wrestling match next monthCredit: check copyright

He played local butcher Ashley Peacock and even scooped the gong for Most Popular Actor at the Soap Awards in 2003.

However, the beloved character was brutally axed from Coronation Street in 2010 as fans watched Ashley die in Weatherfield's tram crash.

But these days Steven has turned his attention to the wrestling ring - with his first match already confirmed.

He'll square off with his former ITV co-star Bruce Jones who is already a professional wrestler.

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The match is scheduled to take place on Monday, May 6th at the Trinity Sports Centre in Manchester.

A teaser from the promoters reads: "Son of a Butcher, Ashley Peacock arrives at SOVPRO and he's bringing a "real gang" to confront Les Battersby and the lbWo!

"What has Les done now?"

Bruce Jones, now 71, announced his wrestling debut last year in a move that shocked fans.

The former Les Battersby character quit acting for good to take up the new role.

Announcing the news on social media, Sovereign Pro Wrestling wrote: "This is not a drill. This is not a parody.

'Truly horrible!' fume Coronation Street fans as they demand bosses axe 'self-absorbed and remorseless' character

"From the infamous cobbles of Weatherfield, the champion of the Rovers Return, THE Les Battersby makes his SOVPRO debut on February 18th."

Fans went wild for the news, with one commenting: "this might the strangest thing I’ve ever seen and I’m so for it."

Editorial use only. Exclusive - Premium Rates Apply. Call your Account Manager for pricing...Mandatory Credit: Photo by ITV/Shutterstock (697529jz)..'Coronation Street' TV - 2003 -.Fred Elliott (John Savident) is stunned when Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold) tells him that Matt Ramsden might be Joshua's father...ITV ARCHIVE
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The beloved character was brutally axed from Coronation Street in 2010 as fans watched Ashley die in Weatherfield's tram crashCredit: ITV
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