Many Coronation Street fans were left feeling sad last night when Les Dennis’s character Michael Rodwell announced he was leaving Weatherfield.

Michael said his goodbyes before heading off for a new life in Brighton where he plans to sell ice cream.

And his estranged wife Gail McIntyre, played by Helen Worth, was left devastated after she realised he’d left without seeing her first.

She sobbed: “I’ve lost him and it’s all my stupid fault.”

And it wasn’t just Gail who was upset, Corrie fans took to Twitter to voice their disappointment at the departure of the character.

One viewer wrote: “I will miss Michael in #coronationstreet. Gail and Michael are suited for each other @LesDennis @helenworth3.”

Another posted: “I hope Michael will be returning to @itvcorrie. Poor Gail is heartbroken.”

And another tweeted: “@LesDennis Lets hope that ice cream van breaks down for Gail to power walk to you @itvcorrie @WeAreSTV.”

However, it looks like actor Les will be returning to the soap sooner than fans think – he recently signed a contract to appear on Coronation Street for at least another year.

He said on This Morning: “Michael kind of disappears in the next few weeks because he’s going to Brighton while Les is going to do a play!”

The star is taking some time out from his television career to appear in Alan Bleasdale’s Down The Dock Road at Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre.

He said of the move: “It’s a dream come true for me, but I will really be looking forward to getting back to rekindle my soap role.

“I still pinch myself that I am in the show.”