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Coronation Street 2019 cast changes: Who’s leaving and joining

Some big faces are departing this year

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With as many episodes as Coronation Street put out over the week, it’s no wonder they have a large cast.

But 2019 will see some big exits from the soap.

Never fear though, others will be joining the show – both returning faces and new ones.

Here’s a round up of all those set to leave, return and join the Street in 2019.

Updated May 2019

Read more: Coronation Street’s funniest ever storylines

Who’s leaving Coronation Street:

Kym Marsh – Michelle Connor

It’s farewell after 13 years (Credit: ITV)

After 13 years on the cobbles, Kym Marsh announced she was leaving the Street just last month.

Kym revealed her news to The Sun with a statement: “When I was lucky enough to be offered four episodes I could never in my wildest dreams have thought I’d be here 13 years later.

“It’s been an incredibly difficult decision but it feels like the right time for me to explore some other roles.”

Kym’s departure from the show was confirmed by Corrie executive producer John Whiston, who said he was “sad” to be losing her, but “totally understands” her desire to head off into new ventures.

He said: “Kym has done a fantastic job. She has brought incredible heart and humanity to some hugely important stories.

“We will be really sad to lose her when she goes but totally understand that, after dedicating herself to the show for so long she now fancies trying something else.”

However in a recent interview with Best Magazine, Kym revealed: “This isn’t the last you’ve heard of Michelle Connor – she’ll be back!”

And speaking on Loose Women, Kym revealed: “I’ve said I’m taking a break, so yeah, I think it’s just a break for me.”

Tristan Gemmill – Robert Preston

Tristan is leaving the soap (Credit: ITV)

Coronation Street star Tristan Gemmill has announced he’s quit the show after spending four years playing Robert Preston.

The actor who plays Tracy Barlow’s former husband and Michelle Connor’s ex, joined the ITV soap in 2015.

He made the sad announcement on Twitter, writing: “Folks, I just wanted to let you know that the time has come for me to hang up the chef’s gear and head for pastures new.

“There is still a lot of drama and shenanigans to come for Robert but I will be leaving Corrie later in the year.”

Hmmm, so this could get interesting. Robert has been behaving strangely of late, as though he has a big secret… which could be leading to a massive exit.

Recently on screen Michelle lost it with her former fiancé when he pushed her too far.

Getting sick of Robert’s behaviour, Michelle lashed out at him and suggested if he hadn’t named and shamed Carla over the roof collapse at Rana’s memorial she wouldn’t have had a breakdown and gone on the run.

Later on, after taking a phone call, Robert downed tools and hurried out of the bistro. And he’s been very distracted of late…

Faye Brookes – Kate Connor

Kate Connor (Credit: Corrie YouTube)
Kate then lost Rana on their wedding day (Credit: ITV)

Coronation Street star Faye Brookes announced she is quitting Weatherfield just days after Tristan.

The actress, who has played Kate Connor for four years, broke the news to her fans on Twitter.

“Thanks to everyone for your amazing support but after four fabulous years in Weatherfield it’s time for me to explore new opportunities,” she wrote.

“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.”

Kate’s had an eventful and sometimes painful time on Coronation Street, losing brother Aidan to suicide last year, and her fiancee Rana last month.

She’s currently dealing with the revelation that her half-sister Carla could be responsible for Rana’s death following the factory roof collapse.

Faye and Bhavna Limbachia, who played nurse Rana, had viewers in tears as they exchanged their wedding vows, while the latter lay dying.

Katie McGlynn – Sinead Tinker

Is Sinead’s end in sight? (Credit: ITV)

Reports have suggested that Katie McGlynn has become the sixth star to quit the show this year.

The 25-year-old actress – who was this week nominated in the Best Female Dramatic Performance category for the upcoming British Soap Awards – has portrayed Sinead Tinker on the cobbles since 2013, but she is reportedly set to bow out of the role later this year.

A source told The Sun newspaper: “Katie has just been nominated for a British Soap Award so it’s a big loss and not what bosses would have wanted to hear.”

But Corrie insist the former Waterloo Road star is “fully committed” to playing out the rest of her character’s cervical cancer storyline, and says the plot “still has a long way to go”.

A spokesperson said: “Katie is fully committed to playing out the extremely important storyline she is currently portraying on screen.

“This story still has a long way to go. Any speculation threatens to undermine the storyline for viewers.”

Lucy Fallon – Bethany Platt

Lucy has revealed she’s leaving for pastures new (Credit: ITV)

The 23-year-old actress has played Bethany Platt on the ITV soap since 2015, but will be departing the show when her contract ends in 2020 in order to “pursue other projects”.

Producer Iain Macleod told The Sun Online: “Lucy advised us at the start of this year that she would like to leave at the end of her current contract in 2020 to pursue other projects.

“She is an amazing performer and has been at the centre of some huge stories for us during her time on the show.

“I have no doubt that her stellar career will continue beyond the cobbles and would like to wish her all the best in whatever she does next – starting with the brilliant final chapter of Bethany’s story!”

Who’s returning to Coronation Street:

Sam Robertson – Adam Barlow

Coronation Street fans devastated as Adam Barlow leaves Weatherfield
Gone, but not for long (Credit: ITV)

Corrie fans were left devastated at the start of February when Adam Barlow and his handsome face departed Weatherfield to find himself.

He’d been flirting with Sarah Platt and realised his feelings for her were stronger than he would like and he needed to leave for a while.

But it was soon revealed Adam will be back. Replying to a concerned fan, the show’s official Twitter feed wrote:

“He’s only going away for a little bit – we’ll see Adam again soon.” Phew.

Malcolm Hebden – Norris Cole


Earlier in February Coronation Street shared a picture of Malcolm Hebden, aka Norris Cole, back filming on the Street.

Malcolm had taken time off after suffering a silent heart attack in 2017, which came without any of the usual warning signs and effectively tore his heart, causing a hole in the left ventricle.

He told the Blackpool Gazette: “Most of December I was in an induced coma,

“Fortunately I didn’t realise how bad it was; I was dying.

“The cardiac team, headed by Mr Zacharias, simply saved my life.”

Norris will return next week and announce he’s selling the house and is getting married to Emily’s neice, Freda!

Jennie McAlpine – Fiz Stape

Fiz, Tyrone, Hope - Corrie
Fiz will be back (Credit: ITV)

Actress Jennie McAlpine is currently on maternity leave after giving birth to her second child, Hilda, at the end of October 2018.

Fiz left the Street with her on-screen daughter, Hope Stape, after Hope’s behaviour got so bad it was decided she needed to go to a special school in Birmingham.

She left partner Tyrone Dobbs with his gran Evelyn, and his daughter Ruby, but she has vowed to return to her family as soon as Hope is better.

Jennie recently revealed she would be back and it would be for good.

Who’s joining Coronation Street:

Aggie, Edison, Michael and James Bailey

Corrie’s newcomers (Credit: ITV)

The new Bailey family were announced last month.

Former Doctors’ actress Lorna Laidlaw, who played Mrs Tembe on the lunchtime soap, will arrive as Aggie Bailey, wife to Edison (Trevor Michael Georges) and mum to Michael (Ryan Russell) and James (Nathan Graham), who will make up the first black family on the Street.

The clan have bought No.3 from Norris Cole, and Edison and Michael have clubbed together to purchase the builders’ yard from the Grimshaws.

A former property developer turned builder, Edison works hard and plays hard.

Wife Aggie is a pharmacy assistant and described as friendly, fun and outrageous.

Eldest son Michael, is 27, full of big ideas and schemes to get rich quick. A cheeky chappy charmer he might just be a hit with the ladies of Weatherfield – but he’s also a mummy’s boy, which might not help his love life!

Meanwhile, 19 year old James is a talented footballer for Weatherfield County. But he’s living with a secret: how will his family and team mates react to discover he’s gay?

The Baileys will be on screen from early June.

Jane Hazlegrove – Bernie

Jane-Hazlegrove-Casualty
Former Casualty star Jane is heading for the cobbles (Credit: BBC)

Coronation Street has announced Gemma and Paul’s mum Bernie will be arriving on the cobbles soon played by actress Jane Hazlegrove.

The pair’s estranged mother will be bursting onto the cobbles in July.

She’s an old raver who still sees herself as a free spirit, never one to be tied down by a man or responsibilities, especially if it means hard work.

This week she will fail to pick Gemma up when the pregnant Miss Winter plans to leave the street. However, she will be turning up further down the line.

Bernie does love her kids, the problem is she has never been good at ordinary things and, after years of being a party animal and a part-time parent, she has let them down more times than they can count.

Jane, who is best known for her role as paramedic Dixie in BBC’s Casualty, said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Coronation Street.

“It’s where I started my apprenticeship as a very young actor. I can’t wait to get stuck in.”

Jane was last seen in Weatherfield 1985, when she played Sue Clayton, who was the daughter of Harry and Connie Clayton at No. 11.

A Coronation Street spokesperson said: “Like mother, like daughter.

“We are very pleased that the fantastic Jane Hazlegrove has agreed to join the cast as the irrepressible and impossible Gemma’s even more irrepressible and impossible mother. Fur will fly!”

Read more: The complete Coronation Street cast list

Are you looking forward to these Corrie cast changes? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!


Carena Crawford
Associate Editor (Soaps)

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