Marcus Dent is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera Coronation Street, played by Charlie Condou.

[3] Marcus is initially a sonographer at Weatherfield General Hospital, introduced when Violet Wilson (Jenny Platt) goes for a scan.

Sean tricks Marcus into revealing the sex of the baby when he wants to know but Violet doesn't, causing a rough patch in the relationship, but it is overcome and the couple remain together happily.

He is by Maria Connor's (Samia Smith) side as she gives birth to her stillborn baby in April 2008.

On 27 August 2008, Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver) receives a call from her son Todd (Bruno Langley) saying that he has seen Marcus in a nightclub in London with another man.

Several weeks later, Marcus returns to Weatherfield and catches up with Sean and Eileen and meets Julie Carp (Katy Cavanagh) and Izzy Armstrong (Cherylee Houston).

Dylan stays with them until Violet has recovered from her injuries, sparking a desire in Marcus for a child of his own but Sean is not interested.

Marcus tries to pretend that being part-time dad to Dylan and helping Maria with Liam is enough but he and Sean disagree about this and split up.

Aiden, angry that Marcus agreed to move to London with him and then changed his mind, assumes Sean has been causing trouble.

In November 2013, Marcus and Maria decide to buy a house together, away from the street so that there are things like boating lakes and playgrounds for Liam.

Maria and her friend Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls) walk in on them, which leaves Marcus horrified.

Marcus is suspended for having too much time off as his relationship with Maria gets back on track and he begins to see Liam again.

His character has made a big impact over the last year, quite ground-breaking really - no doubt there will be a juicy exit for Marcus.

[5] A statement on the show's official website said: "There are eventful times ahead for Sean Tully (Antony Cotton) as his old flame Marcus Dent returns to the cobbles.

"[1] Stuart Blackburn, show producer, added "I will be incredibly sad to see Charlie go and wish him well for what I know will be an exciting future.