ITV bosses seem to have a bit of a catastrophe on their hands
Coronation Street actress Lucy Fallon has confirmed she is leaving the soap next year, becoming the third confirmed actor to announce her departure this week after Faye Brookes Katie McGlynn's both revealed they were quitting the show.
The actress, who plays Bethany Platt on the soap, has taken to Twitter to release a statement after it was reported late last night, confirming that she'll be departing the soap after four years.
She wrote,"'Would've liked the chance to announce this in my own time lol... However, after the most incredible four years, I have made the extremely difficult decision to leave Coronation Street at the end of my contract in 2020.
"It's hard to put into words how much this show means to me. I've made lifelong friends with some of the most talented people in the industry, I've had some terrific and immensely important storylines and I've laughed with the best people every day.
"I'm so thankful to Iain and everyone at Coronation Street, I owe everything to them and I will miss them greatly. Thank you so much for your support and love... Can't wait to see what's in store for Bethany this year."
CHECK OUT Coronation Street spoilers: Norris Cole RETURNS to Weatherfield
Coronation Street spoilers: week 19 SLIDER
Coronation Street spoilers
After chatting with Tracy, Mary is suspicious of Freda when she catches her showing estate agents round No.3.
Coronation Street spoilers
Barging into the house, Mary is horrified to find an urn on the mantle piece, and in a moment of madness believes Tracy's teasing that perhaps Freda has done away with Norris...
Coronation Street spoilers
A scuffle ensues, but as Mary has poor Freda in a headlock outside the front door a taxi pulls up, and who should jump out but Norris himself!
Coronation Street spoilers
Baffled at the scene in front of him, Norris can't believe that the two women in his life are fighting over him.
Coronation Street spoilers
Norris invites Mary into Number 3 where he explains that he and Freda are engaged and he wants a divorce so that they can marry, but Mary isn't so sure.
Coronation Street spoilers
Explaining that she still cares for him – not to mention is suspicious of Freda's motives – Mary tells Norris that she won't agree to a divorce.
Coronation Street spoilers
Meanwhile, Dev makes a surprise visit to Primer Doner where he's furious to find Gemma with her feet up watching a film, and Tim helping himself behind the counter.
Coronation Street spoilers
Dev decides to make an example of Gemma and Tim, and tells Asha and Aadi that how well they do at school will affect their futures – and their pocket money.
Coronation Street spoilers
Later on at the Bistro, Dev needs a serious chat with the twins after receiving a call from the school telling him Asha has skipped her exams. When Aadi reveals she spends all her time on snapchat instead of studying, Dev is livid.
Coronation Street spoilers
At Speed Dahl, everyone is preparing for a big weekend party and Ryan is thrilled that Bethany has secured him a gig DJing at the event – if a little nervous!
Coronation Street spoilers
But commotion ensues when Geoff fumes at Yasmeen, insisting that he used to be a DJ too, and why didn't they employ him?
Coronation Street spoilers
Geoff and Yasmeen's relationship is under strain when she finds out that Geoff asked Tim to cancel coming round for dinner, and he accuses her of doing anything she can to avoid spending time alone with him.
Coronation Street spoilers
Touched by Bethany's efforts to secure him a gig and big him up, Ryan gets her alone to thank her and as they flirt, he moves in for a kiss...
Coronation Street spoilers
Rejected by Bethany, Ryan grows closer to Alya when she tells him she's impressed by his DJing, and wants to book him in for a regular slot at the restaurant.
Coronation Street spoilers
The conversation quickly turns flirty, and when Ryan asks Alya out on a date, she agrees.
Coronation Street spoilers
Feeling that she owes him an explanation, Bethany invites Ryan over to the flat above the salon and tells him that she'd been too nervous to kiss him before.
Coronation Street spoilers
As she bares all to Ryan, the two of them end up sharing a kiss, but Ryan feels guilty as his thoughts turn to Alya.
Coronation Street spoilers
Later on, when Alya sees Ryan and Bethany together, she's hurt that he's played them, and Ryan begs her not to tell Bethany that he asked her out.
Coronation Street spoilers
Meanwhile, Freda shows Rita a pile of letters for Mary that Norris has kept at number 4, and when it transpires that they are from Brendan, Freda worries Norris still has feelings for Mary.
Coronation Street spoilers
When Norris insists that he was only keeping the letters to stop Mary from getting hurt by Brendan, Freda is having none of it, and accuses him of caring for Mary more than her.
Coronation Street spoilers
Elsewhere, Sally is back in touch with Paula and when she passes on the news that she's meeting her for lunch at the Bistro, Sophie feels betrayed.
Coronation Street spoilers
But when Sophie and Paula bump into each other at Speed Dahl later on, it's clear that the two of them have missed each other.
Coronation Street spoilers
In the moment, Paula invites Sophie along to a pony trekking holiday she's going on in Spain. When Sophie agrees and brings Paula over to the house, Sally is thrilled to see they're back together.
Coronation Street spoilers
And it seems like Tim is finally getting on board with Sally's healthy lifestyle regimen, as he proudly shows off his new gym gear and suggests they go for a power walk together.
She then wrote a follow-up tweet confirming that her decision had nothing to do with the current mass exodus going on at the soap, writing, "Just to clarify, my decision to leave was made in August last year and has nothing to do with ANYONE at Coronation Street.
"I didn’t make it lightly and I am going to miss every single person there. Excited for my final year at the best place! Woo."
Faye Brookes, who plays Kate Connor on the soap,announced her decision to leave earlier this week, writing on Twitter, 'Thanks to everyone for your amazing support, but after 4 fabulous years in Weatherfield it's time for me to explore new opportunities.
"I've loved playing Kate Connor, but she needs a break for a little while and so with a song in my heart I'm off to pastures new. #kana #corrie♥️".
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Shortly after it was alleged that Katie McGlynn, who plays Sinead Tinker, was also leaving the soap yesterday, a Coronation spokesperson told Hits Radio, "Katie is fully committed to playing out the extremely important storyline she is currently portraying on screen. This story still has a long way to go. Any speculation threatens to undermine the storyline for viewers."
Faye, Lucy and Katie join Kym Marsh, who is quitting after 13 years as Michelle Connor; Tristan Gemmill, who plays Michelle's partner Robert Preston; Bhavna Limbachia left her role as Rana Habeeb last month and Connie Hyde, who plays Sally Webster's sister Gina Seddon, will also be leaving.