Coronation Street star Alexandra Mardell has revealed why she decided to quit the ITV soap as Emma Brooker, with her exit set to air very soon.
The much-loved character will depart in scenes being kept under wraps until transmission, amid the character keeping a dark secret.
At the beginning of the year, Emma and Faye Windass were involved in an accident, as they ran over an elderly man named Ted.
When Ted later died, with his cause of death thought to be linked to the car accident, the girls kept it all a secret.
In upcoming scenes the truth comes out, and it all leads to Emma departing the Cobbes - following her getting to know Ted's grandson Jon.
Sparks have flown for the pair with Emma keen for a romance despite hiding what happened with Ted, so how will he react when he finds out what has gone on?
With Jon suggesting he and Emma could move to Australia together, where he plans to open a bar, it remains to be seen whether they get their happy ending, or if Emma gets into trouble with the law.
Speaking to The Mirror and other press, actress Alexandra revealed all on her decision to leave the show, and said: "It was really, really difficult.
"Even now I'm like what have I done! I know it was right for me but I can see so easily why people stay there for 20, 60 years, because it is such an amazing place to work.
"But I just wanted to play another character. As much as I’ve got to explore Emma in so many different ways there's so many other people I would like to give a go as well.
"I've been lucky with the stories, I have been able to show lots of different sides of her."
Alexandra also revealed she was pleased with her final scenes and her exit plot, but added she was "emotional" and "overwhelmed" on set when it came to wrapping up.
She told us: "I was so lucky and really pleased that my last scene was my last scene, especially with Covid still lurking around and schedules have been changing.
"I was lucky that happened for me, and I was not expecting it to be that emotional. I knew obviously I was gonna be upset saying bye to everyone.
"As soon as the AD said ‘that's a wrap, that’s Alexandra’s last scene,’ I burst into tears uncontrollably. I could not stop and I didn’t know what was wrong with me.
"I was so overwhelmed and I think all of the support of the cast and crew, being there at that moment as well coming to say goodbye, it really overwhelmed me. I was very upset and sad to say goodbye."
Alexandra also didn't rule out a future return as she confirmed her character would not be killed off.
She said: "I’m so pleased, I’m really, really pleased. Even saying goodbye was hard enough but that little kind of hope of one day, maybe it’s a possibility I could go back, that keeps you going.
"It’s not goodbye forever, you never know but I’m really glad she wasn't killed off.
"I’m definitely not drawing a line under it. As I say I can see how people stay there for so long, I don't know what the future holds but I'm just so glad Emma is alive and hopefully she remains alive."
Got any theories or thoughts on the storyline? Let us know in the comments section below.
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV.
