CORONATION Street fans are worried that 'the end is nigh' for the crisis-ridden soap.
The ITV serial drama has lost yet ANOTHER star as Charlotte Jordan, 29, becomes the fifth cast member to quit in a month.
Coronation Street is the UK's longest-running soap, stretching all the way back to December 1960.
Although it has seen hundreds of cast members come and go over the years, viewers are worried about the number of actors who have quit recently.
Charlotte first made her way onto the cobbles in 2020 in the role of Daisy Midgley, stepdaughter to Jenny Bradley (Sally Ann Matthews).
Now she has announced that she will be leaving the soap after four years as the Rovers Return barwoman.
READ MORE ON CORONATION STREET
However, worried viewers took to social media as they predicted the downfall of this television institution .
Reacting to Daisy's departure news, one fan exclaimed: "Oh god not another one ! Is there gonna be any characters soddin left ! #Abysmalnationstreet."
Another stated: "Coronation street is gonna be turning into nonation street at this rate."
"The only thing left on coronation street will be the b****y cobbles at this rate," noted a third user.
Most read in Soaps
While a fourth viewer asked: "What is happening at Coronation Street? I fear the end is nigh! Daisy too is quitting!"
When she announced her departure, actress Charlotte explained: "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."
It has been reported that an 'explosive' storyline has been penned by producers for her forthcoming exit.
Her departure news comes after four actors announced they are quitting or have been written out of the soap since December.
Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw), Colson Smith (Craig Tinker), Luca Toolan (Mason Radcliffe) and Sue Devaney (Debbie Webster) have either quit or are in the process of being written out.
Biggest soap stunts
Soaps are no stranger to dramatic stunts in the storylines. Not only do these moments create a spectacle for viewers, they also fundamentally change characters' lives.
Here is a look at some of the biggest soap stunts from over the years.
CORONATION STREET
- Tram crash (2010): The ITV soap marked its 50th anniversary with a intense tram crash - and live episode to boot. Overall, the crash and its effects were broadcast across a week in December 2010. Its resulting chaos saw regular characters Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold) and Molly Dobbs (Vicky Binns) die.
- Richard Hillman tries to kill the Platts (2003): Of all the men unlucky-in-love Gail tied the knot with, Richard Hillman (Brian Capron) is probably the one she regrets most in hindsight. In 2003, murderer Richard tried to kill his step-family: first by gassing them with car fumes and then driving Gail (Helen Worth), Sarah (Tina O'Brien), David (Jack P. Shepherd) and Bethany (Amy and Emily Walton) into a canal.
EASTENDERS
- Queen Vic fire (2010): In September 2010, EastEnders bid farewell to matriarch Peggy Mitchell (Barbara Windsor) as a permanent fixture on the soap - she returned as a guest before the character's death in 2016. In the build-up to her initial exit, Peggy had trapped crack cocaine-addicted son Phil (Steve McFadden) in the Queen Vic. However, he escaped and set the boozer on fire.
- Bus crash (2017): In April 2017, a total of 11 Albert Square residents had their lives at risk in a terrifying bus crash. The stunt saw a double decker bus - the 764 to Barking - lose control and crash through the Albert Square market before hitting a low-level bridge. Notable passengers at the time included Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Louise Mitchell (Tilly Keeper).
EMMERDALE
- James Barton's death (2016): Interestingly about James' (Bill Ward) death was that it came in a spiral of events. After wife Emma (Gillian Kearney) locked James up in a jealous rage, he escaped and they tussled on a bridge over the bypass. Emma pushed him and James fell into traffic, in turn causing a 12-vehicle pile up, As well as James dying, key characters including Ashley Thomas (John Middleton) and Rhona Goskirk (Zoe Henry) were injured.
Both of the ITV soaps Corrie and Emmerdale have seen budgets slashed in recent months.
Corrie even saw the Christmas party axed, which reportedly left the cast furious and the cuts had left the stars "fearing for their future".
READ MORE SUN STORIES
New Corrie boss Kate Brooks also warned that she would be axing characters including "some unexpected ones that will send shockwaves" last month.
Coronation Street continues on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX.