Millie Gibson has shared a look at the extremely thoughtful gift co-star Charlie De Melo got for her as he left Coronation Street. The actor, who has played Imran Habeeb for almost five years, said goodbye to the ITV soap in dramatic fashion as his character tragically died.
Solicitor Imran suffered a cardiac arrest after heroically saving his wife, Toyah, from the wreckage of their car after they ended up in a car accident. At the time of writing on Friday (June 3), what exactly happened in the lead up to the crash is unclear with Corrie viewers set to discover the truth in a series of flashbacks.
But it was Millie's character Kelly who helped Imran see the error of his ways after she found he had got paralegal Ben, who he later employed at the solicitor's office, to lie to the court about Abi Franklin being back on drugs so that he could get custody of their son, Alfie.
READ MORE: ITV Coronation Street fans spot haunting detail about Kelly Neelan as she discovers Imran's death
The teen angrily confronted Imran and it appeared her words stirred his conscience and feeling guilty for destroying Abi's chance of happiness, Imran made the decision to come clean to both the court and Toyah. Later, the pair bumped into each other in the street where Imran praised his former foster daughter for showing him the error of his ways.
But it ended up being the last the pair saw each other as during Thursday night's episode, Kelly discovered Imran had died in heartbreaking scenes. And the sadness wasn't just on-screen as Millie and Charlie became close friends behind the camera.
Taking to Instagram after the 32-year-old actor's final scenes aired, Millie shared a picture of a gift bag which was surrounded by a few gifts. "Now the news is out about our beloved Imran... I couldn't of asked for a better person to share so many days and storylines with," 17-year-old Millie wrote on her Story.
"From me to you @charliedemelo 'Oh Kelly'... so much love." She then added: "The best gift ever," next to a photo of the pair in front of the door to the flat where Kelly once lived with Imran and Toyah. The now-former co-stars were wrapped up warm in big coats as Millie cuddled into Charlie for the smiley snap.
"Pic from our last scene together," she explained as other presents could be seen. There was a picture of a baby animal as well as a little box which featured a gift from jewelers, Thomas Sabo.
She didn't stop there as she shared a photo of Charlie with his arms wrapped around Georgia Taylor, who plays Toyah, and what now appears to have been Charlie's leaving doo. "My pair of superstars [red heart emoji] @realgeorgiataylor @charliedemelo."
Harriet Bibby, who plays Summer Spellman in Corrie, was also among Charlie's former co-stars to say their farewells. Sharing a selection of pictures of them together, in which the departing actor appears to be wearing a kilt, Harriet said: "Thank you for always being a ray of sunshine."
The three snaps showed the pair beaming for the camera while sharing a playful laugh. "So much love! @charliedemelo," she added.
Kel Allen, who left the soap earlier this year in emotional scenes as Laura Neelan, added: "Imran will live on forever in our hearts," before sharing her own tribute with an un-seen snap from what appears to be Charlie's leaving doo. " Terrah to our Imran," she said as she, Georgia Taylor, Harriet, Millie and Charlie could be seen in a candid snap.
"@charliedemelo you absolute talented beaut, cannot wait to see you smash the eps when I get back. Go forth and conker r kid. Sending big love from Zanzibar bab." Charlie was soon leaving a reply, commenting with a string of heart emojis before adding: "Love you bab."
