Neil Morrissey to quit TV

Waterloo Road star Neil Morrissey is quitting television after 25 years to concentrate on his pub business.

Neil, who co-starred with Martin Clunes in the sitcom Men Behaving Badly, says that acting is now 'more pain than fun'.

He told The Mirror: "Acting has been good to me. But a lot of what I do now is nothing more than factory television, more pain than fun.

"I find running a pub to be far more challenging, much more creative."

Neil has already filmed his final scenes as deputy head Eddie Lawson in the BBC school drama Waterloo Road.

He now intends to focus on running a 17th century Yorkshire pub, which he co-owns with friend Richard Fox.

"We want to make money out of it but principally we're doing it for the love of it," he admitted.

The pair have developed their own beer, Morrissey Fox Blonde Ale, to brew and sell at Ye Olde Punch Bowl Inn in Marton cum Grafton, N Yorks.

But Neil's not completely turning his back on acting - this summer he will work in theatre after landing the lead role in Rainman.

Neil's final scenes in Waterloo Road will be screened on Wednesday May 20 at 8pm on BBC One.