Coronation Street has denied that the soap is knee-deep in crisis, after the fifth cast member has quit in three months.
Questions have been raised about what is happening behind the scenes at the ITV soap, after Faye Brookes’ resignation.
The actress is the latest cast member to announce she’s leaving – the fifth in as little as three months.
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Just a few weeks ago, the soap star denied plans to leave the soap.
In an interview with OK!, Faye said: “I love my job and feel like I’ve only just begun to sink my teeth into Kate.”
So what happened?
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Yesterday (Tuesday April 30), Faye did a dramatic U-turn when she announced on Twitter that she was moving on.
She said: “Thanks to everyone for your amazing support but, after four fabulous years in Weatherfield, it’s time for me to explore new opportunities.
“I’ve loved playing Kate Connor, but she needs a break for a little while and so with a song in my heart I’m off to pastures new.”
Thanks to everyone for your amazing support, but after 4 fabulous years in Weatherfield it's time for me to explore new opportunities, I've loved playing Kate Connor, but she needs a break for a little while and so with a song in my heart I'm off to pastures new. #kana #corrie♥️
— Faye Brookes (@Faye_Brookes) April 30, 2019
Faye’s departure comes after central stars Tristan Gemmill, Connie Hyde, Kym Marsh and Bhavna Limbachia all announced they were leaving.
Last week, Tristan – who plays Robert Preston – announced that he was departing the cobbles after four years.
In March, Connie – aka Gina Seddon, revealed her intentions to go, while Kym announced in February that she was leaving the soap after 13 years and her character Michelle Connor behind.
Earlier this month, The Sun reported that mutiny was growing behind the scenes of the ITV soap.
The newspaper suggested that cast were becoming increasingly tired and struggling under the pressure of squeezing out six episodes a week.
The report said that the bosses may even bring in an outside consultant to fix the “chaos” the extra shows have caused.
However, a source at ITV told ED!: “The very nature of a long running serial drama is that actors come and go all the time.
“Producers have recently introduced the four new members of the Bailey family and Gemma’s brother Paul.”
In 2017, the soap announced its decision to go from five to six episodes a week.
It’s no secret that working long hours on a serial drama take their toll.
Alison King, who plays Carla Connor, previously told OK! why she was taking a break from the soap.
She said: “Carla is in everything, which is very flattering, but it never ends. You’re doing 15-hour days, plus two hours of learning new scripts once you get home.
“To do that for a decade can break you, so I would rather not be broken all the time for the rest of my life.”
Corrie fans have recently criticised the soap for focusing too much on Gemma Winter’s character, and have accused the soap of going downhill.
Which cast member will you miss the most? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!