As budgets were axed on the soap, the Salford based soap seems to be embroiled in a cast crisis

A NUMBER of popular actors have made the decision to leave Weatherfield for a new life away from the cobbles.

Coronation Street boss Kate Brooks teased multiple dramatic exits which have left audiences in shock as they started to play out. Here’s what has changed in Weatherfield over the past few months.

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Helen Worth quit Coronation Street after five decades on the cobblesCredit: ITV

Gail Platt (Helen Worth) – Quit

Legendary Coronation Street star Helen Worth shocked fans by announcing she would be leaving the soap at the end of 2025

The actress, 73, has played Gail for 50 years but is saying goodbye to the role after five decades on-screen.

At the time of the announcement, Helen said: “This year felt like the perfect time to leave the show after celebrating 50 years in the most wonderful job on the most wonderful street in the world.

“I made the decision at the start of the year and spoke to the producers who were very kind and understanding.

“I have been truly blessed to have been given the most incredible scripts week in week out, and to have worked with fantastic actors, directors and a brilliant crew.

“The past 50 years have flown by and I don’t think the fact that I am leaving has quite sunk in yet.”

The last scenes saw the character jet off to the South of France with her new husband, Jesse Chadwick (John Thomson) in emotional scenes.

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Eileen Grimshaw will appear on-screen until Spring 2025Credit: PA

Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw) – Quitting

Former I’m A Celebrity favourite Sue Cleaver, 61, will be leaving the ITV soap after 25 years on-screen.

Just weeks after on-screen rival Gail’s departure, we revealed that the show stalwart wants to pursue new acting projects.

The actress has been known for her role as no-nonsense Eileen Grimshaw since she joined the soap back in May 2000.

We previously reported that the star has already begun filming her exit storylines to air in the late Spring.

Writers will not be killing off the beloved character in case the fan-favourite actress decides to reprise her role in the future.

Sue exclusively told The Sun on Sunday: “I’ve had 25 privileged years of working on Coronation Street.

“The door is still firmly open but as I reached my 60th year, I decided it was time to embrace change, look for new adventures and live fearlessly.”

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After four years, Charlotte Jordan has announced that she will be leaving the showCredit: ITV

Daisy Midgley (Charlotte Jordan) – Quitting

Charlotte Jordan, 28, has quit Coronation street after four years on the cobbles.

She became the fifth star to leave in just a month after we exclusively revealed her departure.

The actress has played Rovers Return barmaid Daisy Midgley since 2020, will bow out in 2025.

She said last night: “My time at Coronation Street is something I’ll always cherish.

“After a brilliant four years for Daisy, it’s time for me to start a new chapter and explore other opportunities.”

Charlotte added: “It’s been a privilege to be part of a wonderful institution with even more wonderful colleagues who have taught me so much.”

Charlotte was tipped as the next Michelle Keegan, but told sources that despite “loving the show” she is hungry to see what other opportunities await.

An explosive storyline has been scripted for her exit.

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Mason Radcliffe was killed off in shocking scenesCredit: ITV

Mason Radcliffe (Luca Toolan) – Killed Off

Viewers tuned in to see the shocking murder of Mason Radcliffe as his brothers hunted him down.

He grassed them up for murdering Betsy’s mum Becky and they wanted revenge and were out for blood.

The actor was part of the long-running ITV serial drama for just 16 months before taking part in the knife crime storyline.

After his exit, actor Luca Toolan said: “Of course when I first heard there was a mixture of emotions because I was sad that Mason was going to die and that means I would be leaving, but equally I was really excited and honoured to be part of this storyline because it’s an incredibly important issue that needs to be tackled.

“I feel so privileged to have had this opportunity to start my professional career at Coronation Street and what a great time I’ve had.”

And he’s had to keep the secret for almost a year.

He added: “I found out around February or March time so it was a long time coming. It gave me the opportunity to do a lot of research into the storyline which was great.”

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Viewers were left fuming when it was announced that Debbie Webster will be killed offCredit: ITV

Sue Devaney (Debbie Webster) – Leaving

Actress Sue Devaney was said to have been left absolutely furious when she found out her character was being killed off.

Debbie Webster – who Sue has played for 40 years on the cobbles – will die as part of a new health storyline that is set to take centre stage in the ITV soap opera for 2025.

In harrowing upcoming scenes, the sister of Kevin Webster will be diagnosed with dementia.

A source previously told The Sun:  “Sue was very shocked when she discovered she was being killed off.

“”he was initially very sad and then furious and then upset again.  It’s taken her a long time to come to terms with it.

“She had no intention to leave the show and couldn’t believe it when they called her in and broke the news.”

An insider added: “Sue is a total professional and is already putting her all into what she sees as hugely important long running storyline.

“She saw the positive impact of the MND storyline and hopes that her dementia story can have the same effect and raise awareness of the condition.”

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Colson Smith revealed on Instagram that he has been axed from the soapCredit: ITV

Craig Tinker (Colson Smith) – Leaving

Just months after his on-screen mother Beth made her exit from Weatherfield, Colson Smith revealed he has been axed from the soap.

After 14 years, the actor will bid goodbye to the role of PC Craig Tinker later this year.

He previously confirmed that he was told he would be written out of the soap after being told of the news in Autumn 2024.

On Instagram he explained: “Autumn last year I was told that Craig Tinker’s time on the Cobbles is to come to end in 2025.

“I’ve loved every single second of my 14 year stay as a resident on the greatest street in the world. I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up in, on and around Coronation Street.

“I’ve learned pretty much everything about life from the people who call it home.

“I’m excited to play out the exit story for our Craigy. For me, this is the end of the beginning.

“I genuinely can’t wait to see what chapter two has in store for me.”

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Paul is battling motor neurone disease and his upcoming exit has been confirmedCredit: ITV

Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) – Quit

Paul was sensationally killed off last summer after the character was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

MND is a fatal, rapidly progressing disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, attacking the nerves that control movement so muscles no longer work, often impacting the patient’s senses such as sight, sound and feeling.

The ITV soap worked closely the MND Association on this storyline as it explored the impact of the diagnosis on Paul and his loved ones as his condition progressed.

Actor Peter Ash said: “Paul is completely blindsided by the diagnosis and he decides to keep it from his family and friends as he tries to come to terms with the news.

“I knew very little about MND before embarking on the storyline and I am hugely grateful to the MND Association for all their help and support.

“For any actor playing a role which examines a real life issue or condition there comes a huge sense of responsibility and we are aware that some people watching this storyline are experiencing it in reality, it is their life.

“Awareness and education are really important. I have learned so much even in the short time I have been involved in this storyline. We hope Paul’s journey can make people more aware of the symptoms and what it is like for someone to live with MND.”

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A source teased a dramatic exit for Beth TinkerCredit: ITV

Beth Tinker (Lisa George) – left

Viewers quickly took the character of Beth Tinker to their hearts when she made her debut on the soap back in 2011.

Back in June after 13 years on the soap we revealed that Lisa George filmed her final scenes on the long-running ITV serial drama.

At the time, a source told us: “Beth’s a larger than life character who’s never shied away from a clash.

“Her exit will be as dramatic as she is.”

the actress recently opened up about her health issues, revealing she is facing going blind after recieving a diagnosis of NAION – non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy – which causes sudden vision loss.