Maria Is To Quit The Street
Actress Samia Smith is set to quit 'Coronation Street' to start a family.
The stunning brunette - who plays sexy hairdresser Maria in the hit soap - has reportedly decided she wants to focus on having a baby with husband, property developer Matt Smith, and is ready to turn her back on the show after five years.
Samia, who tied the knot with Smith in September last year, is said to have told programme bosses she won't be signing another contract when her current deal runs out in November.
A 'Street' insider revealed: "This is devastating news for ITV, but many of the cast will have seen this coming.
"Samia has settled into family life and her priorities have changed."
A friend of the 23-year-old beauty has further fuelled the rumours, telling Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "She has never attempted to hide the fact she wants children - lots of them."
'Coronation Street' bosses are believed to have been left reeling by Samia's decision - which comes just months after soap beauty Nikki Sanderson quit the show.