Bye-bye, Weatherfield! Time on Coronation Street has come to an end for these stars

Biggest storyline: Eileen’s husband Pat Phelan turned out to be a nasty conman with a habit of bumping people off. She was terrorised by him until he was stabbed and killed by neighbour Anna Windass. Eileen’s long-running feud with Gail also inspired some dramatic – and hilarious – storylines.

Why she’s going: After a quarter of a century working on Coro and recently taking several extended periods of leave – during which she appeared on reality show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! (and became great mates with royal contestant Mike Tindall) and toured the UK with the musical Sister Act – Sue, 61, wants to try something new.

“I’ve had 25 privileged years on Coronation Street,” she says. “As I reached my 60th year, I decided it was time to embrace change. I needed to look for new adventures and live fearlessly.”

Her character Eileen won’t be killed off, so she could possibly return in the future.

Biggest storyline: Wannabe influencer Daisy attracted the attention of stalker Justin Rutherford, who threw acid at her and friend Ryan Connor on the day she was due to marry Daniel Osbourne.

Why she’s going: Charlotte’s contract is up in the middle of this year and she has decided not to renew it.

“After a brilliant four years for Daisy, it’s time for me to explore other opportunities,” explains Charlotte, 30. The star won a British Soap Award for Best Dramatic Performance in 2023.

Charlotte, whose character has just learned she’s pregnant, but doesn’t know which of her exes (Daniel Osbourne or Kit Green) is the dad, is tipped to be involved in an “explosive” exit storyline.

Biggest storyline: After her husband Geoff Metcalfe abused and gaslit her for months, Yasmeen stabbed him with a broken bottle. He survived, but she was charged with attempted murder. A jury found her not guilty and Geoff fell to his death from their roof after trying to kill her.

Why she’s going: Shelley hasn’t commented but a show insider says after being involved in some major storylines over the years, she felt the time was right to move on. “Shelley is an accomplished stage and TV actor, and we fully understand her desire to take her career in another direction after 10 years playing the same role.”

Shelley, 69, filmed her final scenes in December. It’s understood that her character hasn’t been killed off.

Biggest storyline: Wealthy businesswoman Debbie secretly conspired with dodgy developer Ray Crosby to knock down half the houses in Coro Street to build a luxury apartment block. When she turned against him, he locked her and her brother Kevin Webster in the walk-in fridge at the bistro. It wasn’t until several days later when they were found, frighteningly close to death.

Why she’s going: Sue’s character is being written out in a storyline expected to be one of the biggest of the year. Debbie will be diagnosed with dementia, eventually dying in 2026.

A show insider says it’s a chance for Sue, 57, to show off her acting skills. “She will give the performance of a lifetime and make Debbie’s exit one to remember for years. There will not be a dry eye in the house.”

Sue was originally on Coro for just a year when she was first cast in 1984 as teenager Debbie. After 34 years away, she returned to the show in 2019.

Biggest storyline: After joining the police force, Craig was horrified when his mentor Neil Clifton raped his friend Bethany Platt. He tricked Neil into revealing what he’d done and helped to get him convicted.

Why he’s going: Colson was just 12 when he started playing Craig. So, he felt shocked to learn his character is being axed. Producers told him last August that Craig was being written out. However, he then kept it quiet until January, when he revealed the news on social media.

“I’ve loved every second of my 14-year stay as a resident of the greatest street in the world,” says Colson, 26. “I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up in, on and around Coronation Street. Long live the cobbles!”