Ever since Coronation Street actress Debbie Rush announced she was quitting her role as Anna Windass after ten years, speculation has been rife as to how she’d leave.
Anna has two children – son Gary and adopted daughter Faye – living on the cobbles so it was unlikely that her character would leave happily and quietly, unless her family went with her.
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It’s looked even more likely that Anna’s exit would be full of drama as she’s continued to wind up her arch enemy, Pat Phelan, in recent episodes.
Anna and Phelan have a very chequered history with the villain coercing her into sleeping with him in order to stop him blackmailing her partner, Owen Armstrong and Gary.
She’s never forgiven him for making her stoop so low, after putting her family through horror.
Last week viewers saw Anna reveal to Pat’s long-lost daughter, Nicola, what sort of a monster her father really is (although let’s be honest, that’s not even the half of it.)
Anna thought she’d got one up on the twisted builder, not knowing that he’s been secretly plotting her downfall, by planting the idea in Seb Franklin’s mind that Anna was behind his horror fall from his ladder.
Phelan has also planted evidence in Todd and Adam’s offices, putting Anna in the vicinity of Seb’s accident. So could this lead to Anna leaving the show?
New photos released today have shown Anna being accompanied by police, suggesting that she falls foul of the law in upcoming scenes. Is she set to be carted off by the cops and that’s the last we’ll see of her?
These follow earlier snaps which showed the character hiding in bushes, looking like she was on the run.
The news shots strongly suggest that the game is up for Anna, as Faye – who is Seb’s girlfriend – watches on in horror.
Anna is seen with her hands behind her back in one shot, which really looks like she’s been arrested.
Whatever Phelan has set up for Anna, it’s not looking good for her.
But at least it looks like she’s escaping with her life.
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Which can’t be said for Vinny Ashworth and Poor Andy Carver, who were the last people to cross the villain.
Viewers were left shocked after horror scenes last Friday saw the characters die in a double-murder.
The grisly episode left a nasty taste in the mouths of some viewers as TV watchdog, Ofcom, report receiving 390 complaints.
Corrie bosses have justified the murder scenes – and it’s even been reported that Phelan’s storyline is set to get even darker, with actor Connor McIntyre promising this is just the beginning.
Could Anna’s departure be part of this new, darker direction?