Shame Becky is leaving
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Shame Becky is leaving
Katherine Kelly has revealed the reasons behind her decision to leave Coronation Street, explaining that she would like to work on new projects and spend more time with her loved ones.
Earlier today, it was announced that the actress is bowing out from her role as Becky McDonald after five years in Weatherfield. She will finish filming at the end of the year, but her final scenes will not be broadcast until early 2012.
Speaking of her forthcoming Corrie exit, Kelly told Hello magazine that she will be pursuing new roles, adding: "I've been told the door will be left open. It's never been about money and, my goodness, how could you get bigger stories than those Becky has had?
"The fact that I have stayed so long is a testimony to the writers and producers - they made it utterly irresistible. But there are lots of people in my life I just don't get the chance to see as much as I would like. The downside has been missing special events in my family and friends' lives."
Meanwhile, writing on Twitter this morning, Kelly denied suggestions that her departure followed a 'fallout' with Corrie producers over her storylines.
She told her online followers: "There are some nonsense stories out there today folks. Loved every minute of Corrie. Wouldn't change a thing. Real reasons in Hello only."
The build-up to Becky's departure begins next month when social services start investigating her 'purchase' of nephew Max from half-sister Kylie.
Further twists and turns are then expected in the coming months as show bosses have promised that Becky will feature in dramatic storylines for the remainder of her time on the soap.
DS
I'm sorry to hear that Becky's leaving. She's a good actress and makes Becky a likeable, though flawed, character. Becky and Steve are also a great couple and it's a shame they have to break up :(
Me too Dazzle I'm sad to see Becky go. I just hope Corrie don't go and hook Stevie back up with TracyLuv when Becky goes.
Screaming Becky McDonald has to be dragged away after trying to steal back her son Max.
The devastated blonde is led away by husband Steve after trying to get her hands on the little lad who has been taken into care.
Social services swoop on the Rovers Return and take Max after they are tipped off that Becky and Steve bought him from his mother, Becky’s sister Kylie.
Becky – played by Katherine Kelly, 31 – goes into meltdown as she truly bel*ieves the lad is hers.
She manages to find out that he has been placed with a foster family on the other side of Weatherfield.
After tracking them down she heads to their house to see Max.
But his foster parents have been warned not to let anyone near him so they threaten to call the police and have Becky arrested.
Steve (Simon Gregson, 36) manages to get to her before the police do.
In heartbreaking scenes to be screened next month, fans will see Becky howling in anguish as she is separated from Max. She puts up a fight, but is eventually led home by Steve.
The storyline will mark the start of nine months of heavy action for Becky.
It comes after Katherine’s decision to quit the role so she can spend more time with her family.
Daily Star
Katherine Kelly has been great playing Becky, but I do think her character has ran her course now. I think she's been really overused and now the character has got very tired. I don't think there's any way they could develop her anymore.
Ha ha ha! I knew that house of cards would come tumbling down. Becky is in danger of losing her brains every time she sneezes. I remember a few weeks ago, she was blubbing to Hayley, admitting to have done something wrong, but refused to say what. After the agg she has caused, Steve should chuck her on the streets, back to where viewers originally saw her. But before she leaves, please round up Jez Quigley's old gang, Dennis Stringer's Hell's Angel pals, Tracy Barlow and Terry Duckworth's old cell mates, and give poisonous little cow Kylie the shoeing of her life.
Katherine Kelly has said that she chose to leave Coronation Street because it feels like the right time to move on.
The actress, who has portrayed feisty Becky McDonald in the Weatherfield-based soap since 2006, announced earlier this month that she would be leaving Coronation Street at the end of this year, with Becky's last scenes coming in early 2012.
Speaking to 1Xtra's Gemma Cairney, Kelly said that she feels "ready for a change".
"I was just waiting for this wave to come along when the storylines dipped, and then you'd think, 'This is it, you've had your moment!'" she explained.
"But I turned to Simon Gregson (on-screen husband Steve McDonald), and said, 'I'm waiting for this dip', and he said to me, 'It hasn't dipped for me in 20 years, and if you're going to go, you're going to have to tell them'. So that's kind of the way it's gone!"
She added: "They are leaving it open for me, I would hate to say goodbye to Becky. I might be able to 'do a Liz' and rock back up! Sort Amy Barlow out when she's 18!"
Asked about her future plans, Kelly said: "I just want to try and concentrate and make sure that Becky gets the send-off that she deserves and that the viewers deserve."
Recently, co-star Kim Marsh defended Kelly's departure, dismissing rumours that ill feeling between the actress and producers was behind the decision for Becky to leave and adding that the actress is "a lovely person".
DS
It's never easy leaving a long-running, successful role, but at least Katherine Kelly can comfort herself with the amount of love she's received from fans since announcing her plan to quit Coronation Street.
She's received hundreds of messages on Twitter from well-wishers, and responded by writing: "I am utterly blown away by all your lovely tweets. What a treat to come home to."
Katherine also revealed that some people had come up with ideas about Becky's departure, saying: "I'm laughing at all your ideas for Bex exit story. Esp ones involving Roy! You are too funny!"
Although the actress has no post-Corrie projects lined up just yet, it seems a musical career could be beckoning. A remix of her song If It's Too Late, recorded for the Coronation Street album Rogues, Angels, Heroes & Fools, is currently climbing the US club charts.
You never know, if she's successful, Katherine could be the next Cheryl Cole!