Lucy Fallon has quit Coronation Street, the soap has announced.
The 23-year-old actress has played Bethany Platt on the ITV soap since 2015, but will be departing the show when her contract ends in 2020 in order to “pursue other projects”.
Read more: Corrie fans turn on producer Iain MacLeod
Producer Iain Macleod told The Sun Online: “Lucy advised us at the start of this year that she would like to leave at the end of her current contract in 2020 to pursue other projects.
“She is an amazing performer and has been at the centre of some huge stories for us during her time on the show.
“I have no doubt that her stellar career will continue beyond the cobbles and would like to wish her all the best in whatever she does next – starting with the brilliant final chapter of Bethany’s story!”
Read more: Corrie reassures fans about Liam Bairstow’s future
A source added to the publication: “Lucy’s been in Corrie just under five years and feels now is the right time to try new things.
“Everything is amicable and there isn’t any anger there. Bosses are keen to leave the role of Bethany open in case Lucy does want to return in the future.”
Since arriving on the cobbles four years ago, Lucy’s character Bethany has been involved in a number of dramatic storylines, including a sexual abuse plot which saw her bag the Serial Drama Performance prize at the 2018 National Television Awards.
Lucy has also won the Best Actress prizes at the Inside Soap Awards in 2017 and British Soap Awards in 2018.
Meanwhile, the star recently claimed she was going to quit acting to become a midwife before landing her role in the soap when somebody “forced” her to audition.
She said: “I was going to pack it all in to become a midwife, but somebody forced me to audition.
“Four years later, I’ve learned so much and I’m not in debt.”
Earlier this week Faye Brookes, who plays Kate Connor, revealed she was leaving the soap – this followed the departure on Bhavna Limbachia who played her on-screen partner Rana, in March
The announcement about Lucy’s exit follows reports this morning that co-star Katie McGlynn has quit.
Last week Tristan Gemmill announced on Twitter that he was leaving his role as Robert Sugden.
Kym Marsh, the soap’s Michelle Connor, announced she was off in February.
And Connie Hyde – troubled Gina Sneddon in the soap – quit in March.
Will you be sad to see Bethany leave Weatherfield? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!