CORONATION Street actress Lisa George has opened up about the reason why she decided to leave the show after fans were shocked by her exit.
The soap star confirmed her last scenes would be airing on Friday this week after speculation ran rife that she was quitting.
Viewers were left wondering why she decided to step away from the cobbles after 13 years playing Beth Tinker.
Lisa has now admitted that she wants to take her chance to work in theatre before an eye condition she has potentially leaves her blind.
While speaking to Rob Smith from ITV, she shared that she was diagnosed with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) a year ago.
This medical condition means that arteries supplying blood to the optic nerves are blocked.
It can cause a sudden loss of vision for someone who suffers from the disorder.
Lisa currently is partially blind in one eye because of NAION, and only has peripheral vision in the other eye.
In an emotional interview, Lisa asked: “What happens if I do go blind? I still want to explore as an actress and do lots of other things.
“It was the impetus for me to see what else is out there as I don’t want to stop any of those opportunities coming to me.”
The actress developed NAION when she was helping chop down a tree and a rope hit her in the eye.
She started losing vision in her other eye while in the middle of driving down a motorway.
Despite feeling certain about her decision to step away from Coronation Street to pursue new acting ventures while she still can, Lisa admitted that it still feels surreal that she is leaving the soap.
She added: “Thirteen years is a long time, the thing I’m going to miss the most is the people and my friends.
“Everyone says it’s like a family, but it is. You have such a laugh with the crew and everyone supports you.
“We’re all on WhatsApp groups and if some one’s done something good on of the shows everyone’s texting saying well done I really that loved that.
“I don’t know any other job where people have done that.”
Corrie has said goodbye to several cast members this year. Let's break down who's left the famous soap:
Eliza Woodrow (Savannah Kunyo) has said farewell to Corrie to start a new life in Germany.
The youngster moved to live with her dad Dom Everett, who went back on the £10,000 bribe Eliza’s grandfather Stu had offered to keep him out of her life.
Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) 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.
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 was convinced she had to live her life to the full.
Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) 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.
Simon’s been on a downward spiral ever since and his exit could end in tragedy.
Alya Nazir is set to leave the cobbles as actress Sair Khan prepares to go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her first child.
It looks likely she’ll be heading to Dublin after securing a lucrative new job, leaving her colleague and fling Adam Barlow behind.
Show stalwart Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw, is taking a break to star in the Sister Act The Musical UK tour. She will be back filming in May once her dates on the tour come to an end.
Her character left the Street after her son Jason broke his back after falling off a moped in Asia.
