THE world of soap can be a slippery place, with much-loved characters being killed off at a moment’s notice, never to be seen again.
This week Coronation Street fans breathed a collective sigh of relief, to learn that Daniel Brocklebank, the actor who plays archdeacon Billy Mayhew, has signed another 12-month contract, after losing his onscreen partner, Paul Foreman.
Avid viewers will go on a journey of grief with Billy, as his mourns the death of Paul, from Motor neurone disease.
But elsewhere there is mass exodus, as several characters, including the ever-popular Sue Cleaver, seem to be throwing in the towel. Here we take a look at the leaver’s class of 2024.
Sue Cleaver
A show stalwart, Sue, 60, has played Eileen Grimshaw on the soap since, the year 2000. Her character left the street earlier this year to go to Thailand, after her son Todd suffered a moped accident. But fear not, the actress is only taking a break to star as the Mother Superior in the nationwide tour of Sister Act the Musical. But she’s expected to return to the cobbles in May next year.
Savannah Kunyo-
Savannah first arrived in the soap in 2002, starring as Eliza Woodrow. She is the grandaugher tof Stu Carpenter who had reached out to his daughter, Eliza’s mum Bridget, following a spell of homelessness. After spell of family drama, it was then decided that little Eliza should go and live with her dad in Hamburg, Germany. So the 12-year-old actress officially left the soap in April.
Harriet Bibby
Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) departed the cobbles after being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to study in America.
Though she struggled to decide with her stepdad Paul’s impending death from MND, she decided that she needed to live life to the full.
Peter Ash
Peter’s popular character Paul Foreman will bow out of the soap this summer when he loses his fight with motor neurone disease (MND) in tragic scenes.
After being diagnosed last year, the fan favourite was devastated to learn he only had months left to live. Viewers know he is planning to take his own life to end his suffering.
Alex Bain
Simon Barlow has struggled with the sudden departure of his father Peter from the cobbles.
The Weatherfield legend left his family and loved ones behind on Boxing Day, 2023, when his wife Carla Connor encouraged him to travel around the world with a friend.
Sair Khan
Alya Nazir will leave the cobbles as the actress prepares to go on maternity leave. Her character is thought to be heading to Dublin where she has secured a lucrative job offer, giving the chance to make a fresh start after her messy fling with Simon Barlow.
