Faye Brookes has announced her shock exit from Coronation Street.



The actress, who plays Kate Connor on the ITV soap, made the unexpected announcement on Twitter on Tuesday (April 30), explaining that she wants to "explore new opportunities" and that her character "needs a break".

It follows the exit of her on-screen wife Rana Habeeb (Bhavna Limbachia), who died in the Underworld roof collapse last month.

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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

Related: Coronation Street star Faye Brookes opens up over Kate Connor's future after Rana's death

"Thanks to everyone for your amazing support, but after four fabulous years in Weatherfield, it's time for me to explore new opportunities," Faye said.

"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."

The surprise revelation also follows an interview Faye gave last week, in which she discussed Kate's Weatherfield future without any indication she may soon be leaving.

ITV

Related: Coronation Street star Faye Brookes says split with Gareth Gates made them "much stronger"

"It would be nice to see her happy, but I honestly don't believe she'll ever be the same again," she explained.

"She's on edge and I don't know where that could go. Anything could happen and I love that about my job – it keeps you on your toes."

On our toes, indeed...

ITV

News of the latest departure is even more of a surprise following Rana's exit last month. The decision to kill off an LGBTQ+ character on her wedding day was criticised from some fans as an example of TV's 'Bury Your Gays' trope.

Defending the storyline, Bhavna insisted that it was her decision for her character to die, since she felt it was the only realistic way that Rana would leave Kate, who was said to be staying in the show.

She told This Morning: "I was trying to come up with a reason for why Rana would leave Kate, but they have fought so hard to be together that I was racking my brains for weeks trying to come up with a reason.

"She would never leave Kate. I believe their love is so pure, they've worked so hard to be together. The only way she would leave is if it was taken out of her hands."

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on ITV.

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