Kym Marsh, who plays Michelle Connor on Coronation Street, is leaving after 13 years on the show.
Soap boss Iain MacLeod was reportedly desperate to keep her, with Executive Producer John Whiston saying that they were "very sad" to see her leave.
Confirming her departure from the soap, John Whiston praised Kym, saying:
"Kym has done a fantastic job on the show as Michelle Connor, bringing incredible heart and humanity to some hugely important stories," he said. "We will be really sad to lose her when she goes but totally understand that, after dedicating herself to the show for so long and so brilliantly, she now fancies trying something else for a while. We, and the audience, thank her and wish her well. "
Kym said that "never in her wildest dreams" did she think she would still be on the cobbles 13 years after being offered four episodes.
However she said that she felt that the time was right to explore other avenues.
A show source told the Mirror there is no chance of her being killed off though as bosses very much hope this will be an extended break for Kym and like other actresses including Alison King, she may return to the soap in the future after a break.
Kym said: "When I was lucky enough to be offered four episodes on Coronation Street I could never in my wildest dreams have thought I’d be here thirteen years later. It’s been an incredibly difficult decision but it feels like the right time for me to take a break from the show and explore some other roles."
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