Coronation Street aired a surprise exit on Friday night, as Cathy Matthews departed the street following her split from partner Brian Packham.
Actress Melanie Hill confirmed she was leaving the role earlier this year to The Mirror, after seven years.
On Friday, Cathy and Brian were discussing a move to Cornwall as they reunited, following drama earlier on in the week.
But it was clear Cathy wasn't keen on tying the knot or making the big move, as she realised her romance had to come to an end.
As she broke the news to Brian, she admitted things had gone wrong a lot sooner than this week, and she revealed she would be ending things.
Soon after she decided to have a fresh start, and confirmed to her loved ones and friends that she would be moving away to stay with a friend.
As she packed her things and said her goodbyes to Yasmeen, Alex and Roy, she tearfully drove out of Weatherfield for good - not before a final goodbye with Brian.
Speaking to The Mirror about her exit earlier this year, Melanie said: "It’s not been an easy thing to decide. My family has been important but the pandemic has made a lot of people think about the future.
“It has changed a lot of things in my head. You’ve just got to see what’s important to you.
“I absolutely love everybody but it’s made me think about my family a lot and what the priorities are in my life.”
Melanie went on: “Corrie has been absolutely fantastic because I could have just disappeared. I won’t say where Cathy goes but I’m a stone’s throw away from Weatherfield.
“My nephew Alex, played by Liam Bairstow, is there and Peter Gunn, who plays Brian Packham, so the door is open for me to come back – and that’s a great compliment. I’m flattered and grateful.
“You never know what’s around the corner there, so let’s see what happens.”
John Whiston, head of ITV in the north, said “Cathy has been a fantastic Corrie character, whether that’s leaving us in fits of laughter or breaking our hearts as, yet again, Brian doesn’t live up to her romantic expectations.
"We’re sad Melanie is taking time away – she is such a skilled actress that she can deliver sadness and laughter, drama and comedy often in the same scene. We will all miss her hugely.”
Melanie said of her closing episodes: “They’ve written some really nice stuff for Peter and I, and my nephew Alex. It’s pretty emotional. The story shows middle-aged people who really do care about each other but it’s not quite working out. I think it’s really realistic.”
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV and ITV Hub.
