Coronation Street star Michael Le Vell has confirmed that co-star Charlie De Melo has finished filming on the ITV soap. The Kevin Webster actor appeared on This Morning on Friday (May 27) when he confirmed the Imran Habeeb star had officially left the cobbles.
Michael, who will be soon celebrating 40 years on the Salford-based soap, appeared on the ITV daytime show to chat about next week's dramatic week of Corrie alongside co-star, and on-screen wife, Sally Carman who is best known for playing Abi Franklin.
It has already been teased by the long-running soap that the battle for baby Alfie will intensifie between parents Abi and Imran, while residents of the street will face the consequences in an unmissable week which promises chaos and carnage on the cobbles.
READ MORE: ITV Coronation Street fans distracted by everyday item in latest episode
During his appearance on This Morning, Michael said: "There's a quite intense week coming up, mainly for Abi and Imran Habeeb, which we found out is not that easy to say. Can you imagine saying that on a daily basis? I'm glad Charlie has left now and I don't have to say Habeeb anymore."
With Corrie filming in advance, there is no clue as to when Imran's - or Charlie's - final scenes will air or how he'll make his exit. While his departure hasn't been confirmed by the soap, on-screen wife Georgia Taylor, who plays Toyah Battersby - now Habeeb - told the Manchester Evening News and other press that she was 'heartbroken' about his decision to leave after five years.
When asked how she feels about it all, the soap star, 41, told the Manchester Evening News and other press: "Heartbroken. I absolutely adore him. He's been a dream, an absolute dream. We have been together on the show for three and a half years but in the last year, since we've done all the stuff with Seb's trial, we've been pretty consistently busy and most of our stuff has been together and it's just been a joy."
She went on to gush: "He's so funny so we laugh a lot but he is honestly one of the most supportive people I have ever worked with and even now, we're still in touch obviously, he's texting me, 'How did the day go? Are you OK?' He's just a team player.
"And I mean look at him, there's no complaints there either. He's beautiful. He's been amazing but I'm so excited to see what he's going to do next because I think the opportunities are going to be endless for him. He's going to fly."
Meanwhile, Corrie has teased the dramatic crash, which will air next week with a change to usual transmission times as the soap will air half an hour episodes Monday to Friday at 7.30pm, as fans follow the shocking consequences of the fight for the custody of baby Alfie.
It has been revealed that the shocking week of episodes starts with a flash-forward, with viewers seeing Imran leaving a chilling message for Toyah in which he reveals everything. As we move back and forth, the action centres around a horrific car crash which leaves both Toyah and Imran lying unconscious in the wreckage.
The first look pictures show the pair slumped at the wheel after crashing their car into what looks like a derelict building away from the famous street. Another image shows Imran awake and free from the wreck of the vehicle, trying to help a bloodied Toyah out of the drivers seat.
