Coronation Street fans have been left furious about the low-key Liz McDonald exit from the cobbles.
The character, played by Beverley Callard, was originally supposed to exit the ITV soap with a dramatic storyline. But the plans were scrapped due to the coronavirus lockdown, and Steve McDonald has confirmed that Liz has relocated to Spain.
A source told Metro.co.uk that Beverley is now out of contract and so it’s unlikely she’ll be returning to the cobbles.
Hearing this, fans were fuming with the disappointing exit, as Steve said in a throwaway comment last night (Wednesday, July 12) that she had gone to Spain.
#Corrie have confirmed that Beverley Callard has left even though we never saw Liz leave the street! Gutted at this. Bev/Liz deserved a proper exit! pic.twitter.com/MhonTOhrGc
— Coronation Street (@corrieweekly) August 13, 2020
@mr_sjpatterson has Liz McDonald left #Corrie for Spain??? Did they not film any final scenes??
— Showbiz Royalty (@showbizroyalty) August 12, 2020
Speaking on a Digital Spy forum, fans also expressed their disappointment.
One wrote: “Storyline wise, awful time to leave your son when his child is seriously ill.”
Responding to the comment, another user added: “Absolutely, Liz would never have just moved away, but there we go. Another thing we have to overlook thanks to Covid.”
Entertainment Daily has contact Corrie reps for comment.
Coronation Street: What was Liz’s original exit storyline?
Back in January, before the coronavirus lockdown, Ian MacLeod hinted that Liz’s exit storyline would involve her son Steve.
Speaking to the Metro he said: “It will arise from that and at the moment – and again it’s only in its embryonic stages – the idea that Liz is attempting to do something heroic for her son that will probably go slightly wrong.
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“It will corrupt her relationship with Steve and she’ll have some making up to do. But she’ll ultimately determine that the best place for her is not in Weatherfield because she and Steve are upsetting her.”
Paying tribute to Beverley Callard
Prior to her exit, John Whiston, the Head of ITV in the North, paid tribute to the actress’s contribution to the soap.
He said: “With the character of Liz, Beverley Callard has gifted to Coronation Street 30 years of brilliant drama, comedy and everything in between.
“Whether it’s sharing a wicked joke with Eileen, raising an arch eyebrow behind the bar of the Rovers or giving some feckless man the full force of her tongue, Liz is a true Coronation Street icon.”
Beverley on leaving Coronation Street
Beverley previously admitted she was looking forward to a more relaxed schedule.
Another thing we have to overlook thanks to COVID.
The actress, who joined the soap in 1989, explained: “At least I won’t be working 50 weeks a year.
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“Theatre is different. It’s not as demanding as Coronation Street because once you’ve learnt your lines for the stage show, they don’t really change.
“Whereas in Corrie, I’ve been learning new lines every night, especially when I’m in a lead story.”
Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7.30pm on ITV.
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