Who is leaving Coronation Street next year? Five stars have confirmed their exits for 2020
FIVE Coronation Street stars are set to depart from the ITV soap in the new year.
From Robert Preston to Shona Ramsey, Corrie fans will see a string of the Street’s legends quit. Here’s the lowdown on the five star’s departures…
1. Shona Ramsey
What a year it’s been for Shona Ramsey on the cobbles.
She stabbed her killer son Clayton after he kidnapped her, held her hostage and put a knife to her throat.
She also supported husband David through his rape ordeal and prison sentence.
And now Shona will be left fighting for her life in a coma after being gunned down in the Christmas special.
Shona is caught in the crossfire after a fight and shooting breaks out between Gary Windass and Derek Milligan.
The Corrie Christmas trailer confirmed her fate when she opened a gift box with a bullet inside.
Actress Julia Goulding revealed back in July that she was planning on taking four months maternity leave.
The star announced back in May that she is expecting her first child with husband Ben Silver after they tied the knot in February.
She told fans: "Ben and I are delighted to announce that we are expecting our first baby at the end of this year!
2. Bethany Platt
The Sun Online exclusively revealed in May that Lucy Fallon - who plays Bethany Platt - has quit the soap.
Lucy is leaving the soap to pursue other acting roles once her contract expires in early 2020.
The star will film her final scenes in January 2020, but her character Bethany will appear until around March.
Since arriving on the cobbles in 2015, the actress has become embroiled in a number of hard-hitting storyline including the Bethany grooming plot which saw her scoop the Serial Drama performance gong at the 2018 National Television Awards.
She said: “After the most incredible 4 years, I have made the extremely difficult decision to leave Coronation Street at the end of my contract in 2020. It’s hard to put into words how much this show means to me.
“I’ve had some terrific and immensely important storylines and I’ve laughed with the best people everyday. I’m so thankful to Iain and everyone at Coronation Street, I owe everything to them and I will miss them greatly.”
3. Robert Preston
Time is ticking for Robert Preston - played by Tristan Gemmill - in Coronation Street after his two lovers Michelle Connor and Vicky Jefferies discovered his cheating ways.
After Michelle clocked his two-timing, she jilted him at the altar and scammed him out of the Bistro.
Things aren’t looking great for the love rat as the prime suspect for the disappearance of Vicky.
The Sun Online exclusively revealed in October that Robert is set for a gory end when the shocking mass shooting rocks the cobbles.
Robert is gunned down with one other resident when Derek’s revenge against Gary spirals out of control and ends in carnage.
Tristan announced that he is leaving the ITV soap in April, tweeting: "Folks, I just wanted to let you know that the time has come for me to hang up the chef’s gear and head for pastures new."
4. Michelle Connor
Kym Marsh is set to leave Coronation Street after 14 years on the show.
But fans needn’t worry as she’s spoken out to say her character won’t be killed off.
Kym has confirmed that the door is open for Michelle Connor’s return.
The feisty brunette has been planning her revenge and exit from the cobbles after discovering her fiancee Robert’s affair and secret baby.
But she’s in for a nasty shock when she sells the Bistro to an anonymous buyer.
She won’t be able to wash her hands of the street just yet - as she’s set to discover that the buyer is creepy hotelier Ray.
Having fallen into such a nasty trap, it’s likely she’ll be back one day to get her revenge.
5. Liz McDonald
Beverley Callard has quit her role as Liz McDonald but remains one of Corrie’s longest-serving actors with three decades on the cobbles.
During her lifetime on the soap, the talented actress has been involved in some hard-hitting storylines including a tragic miscarriage and awful domestic abuse at the hands of former husband Jim.
Bev told OK! Magazine her final scenes would air next year.
she teased that her exit storyline would come to an explosive head.
She said: “I’ve been told Liz is going to go with one hell of a bang. I can't wait!”
Corrie fans will be relieved that producers have already told Bev that her character won’t be killed off when she leaves in the summer.