Brooke Vincent was among those to send a message to Coronation Street star Ellie Leach after she was seen exiting the cobbles as Faye Windass. The actress made the decision to quit the ITV soap after 12 years leading to an on-screen exit for Faye Windass in Wednesday night's episode (May 24).
Corrie fans have recently seen Faye struggling to mix her new life with her fiance Craig Tinker and her old one with her ex-Jackson Hodge and their daughter Miley. And before she left Weatherfield, Craig discovered the truth about Faye and Jackson’s kiss and turned to blackmail amid his heartbreak.
Faye was seen heading off in a taxi driven by her dad Tim Metcalfe to start a new life in Slough with her Jackson and Miley, who recently came back into her life after she gave her up as a baby after falling pregnant when she was 12. But not before one last emotional goodbye with a heartbroken Craig.
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After the scenes aired, Ellie, who has played Faye since 2011, typed a heartfelt tribute to the ITV soap on Instagram alongside a string of pictures from her time on-screen as she grew up in front of viewers' eyes. "Farewell Faye Windass," she started the caption of her lengthy post.
"And just like that, 12 years at @coronationstreet has come to end!! At 9 years old I could have never imagined how much this show would change my life. I have worked with some of the most incredible people and have learnt so much over the years that i will continue to hold onto for the rest of my life. Everyone says we’re like a family at corrie and we really are. From the cast, to the crew, make-up, costume, everyone in front of the camera and behind the cameras are what makes this show so special and i’m eternally grateful to have played a tiny part in that."
Ellie, 22, went on to say: "I am so unbelievably overwhelmed with the amount of kind comments that everyone has had about Faye over the years and how many well wishes i’ve had since announcing that i’ll be leaving and i just can’t thank you all enough for the support that everyone has given me."
She then rounded off her post by writing: "Thankyou @coronationstreet for giving me the opportunity to play Faye Windass, she will always have a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to see what the future holds beyond those corrie cobbles."
Corrie stars past and present were quick to flood the post. Corrie itself said: "We miss you already." Georgia Taylor commented: "Go and shine brightly, beautiful one." Paddy Bever replied: "What a wonderful human being you are. we all adore you." Samia Loncahbmon shareD: "Wishing you the very best of everything to come for you Ellie! You will missed at Corrie."
Sair Khan posted: "An honour to have you as a dressing room buddy!! So excited for your next chapter!!" Alexandra Mardell typed: "Fabulous gorgeous girlie!! A new adventure for you now." Lucy Fallon added: "Sooooooo proud of you my gal!!!!!!!!!!!! Big things waiting for you."
Brooke, meanwhile, who starred in the soap as Sophie Webster and is Ellie's real-life cousin, shared Ellie's post to her own Instagram Story before sharing her own sweet message. "Forever proud of you," she penned with a red heart. And referring to the baby faced snap of Ellie as Faye, she added: "P.s I still feel like you're this many years older," with a crying laughing emoji.
Before her exit scenes aired, Ellie praised Brooke for the advice she gave her when she joined the ITV soap. "I think people were just like, 'be yourself, turn up on time [and] know your lines,'" Ellie said.
"Obviously that's the main piece of advice you give to anyone who is starting a new job like this. But I remember when I first started Brooke, my cousin, was like, 'Just be yourself. Everyone will love you,' and I think that's just what I've done. I've just been myself and I think that's why I've been here for so long."
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