Four more to leave the cobbles

[Perdita]

Coronation Street actress Sacha Parkinson has predicted that filming her final scenes for the soap will be an emotional experience.

Last month, it was revealed that the actress will be bowing out of Weatherfield at the end of her current contract, meaning that Sian's final scenes will air in early 2012.

Speaking about her forthcoming departure, Parkinson told Star magazine: "I'll be an absolute mess! I'll be crying my eyes out.

"But I'm looking forward to that feeling you have as an actress where you go out and audition again. It's exciting!"

She added: "I got loads of support on Twitter about leaving - it made me cry!"

Meanwhile, Brooke Vincent - who plays Sian's girlfriend Sophie Webster - admitted that it will be strange when she no longer has to film kissing scenes with Parkinson.

"It's normal now, I can't imagine not doing that any more," she said.

Gray trio Cheryl, Chris and Russ are also thought to be leaving Coronation Street later this year.

[Perdita]

Sacha Parkinson has revealed that, despite a few nerves, she is excited about her career after she leaves Coronation Street later this year.

The actress plays Sian Powers in the soap, and decided to quit earlier this year. She told the Daily Star that she is expecting her final scenes with Brooke Vincent, who plays Powers'
lesbian girlfriend Sophie Webster, to be emotional.

She said: "Sophie and Sian are so strong that something is going to have to happen to break them up.

"I've been told they'll be leaving the door open for me but you never know for sure what's going to happen. I mean, Sophie could bump Sian off – you really don't know.

She added that she plans to "make the most" of her final months on the show, and that she is proud to have been part of Coronation Street history.

"I've still got five months left and a lot can happen from now until then. I'm definitely going to make the most of the next few months, even though I expect it to go really quickly. I can't even think about my final scenes without getting upset.

"It's amazing to have been part of Corrie history as one half of the soap's first ever lesbian couple but after nearly three years on the Street I knew the time was right to move on."

Parkinson explained that while she will be upset to leave, she felt it was the right time to do so.

"I didn't want to get to the stage where I stayed for years and years and then they asked me to leave – I would have hated that. I'm already feeling nervous and scared about getting back out there but at least it was my decision.

"It's going to be hard going to auditions again but there is a part of me that is excited about it all. I've got a lot to look forward to."

Brooke Vincent and Parkinson recently admitted that they often "argue like sisters".

Co-star Kym Marsh spoke of her "shock" upon hearing about Parkinson's upcoming exit.

[Perdita]

Coronation Street character Chris Gray will reportedly leave the Street after developing a brain tumour.

The builder is played by Will Thorp, whose exit from the ITV1 soap was reported last month.

Chris will be told it's too late for surgery and dump girlfriend Maria Connor (Samia Smith) to get back with Cheryl (Holly Quin-Ankrah), the News of the World reports.

He tells his girlfriend: "I'm sorry Maria but I'm dying. I have to handle this my way. I can't do that whilst we're together."

Cheryl decides to nurse Chris when he sobs: "Why me? I'm too young to die." They then leave Weatherfield for good with their son Russ (Finton Flynn).

A Corrie insider said: "It will be a sad end for Samia and Will, who have grown very close since we paired them up - but dating your on-screen lover is a lot of added pressure."

Thorp and Smith have been dating in real life since January.

[LostVoodoo]

Random

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Will Thorp has insisted that he is feeling "fine" over his forthcoming departure from the soap, promising a big exit for his character.

Back in May, it was revealed that the actor's alter ego Chris Gray will leave the cobbles later this year, bowing out alongside his ex Cheryl (Holly Quin-Ankrah) and son Russ (Finton Flynn).

Chris will be diagnosed with a brain tumour in an upcoming storyline and it is thought that subsequent scenes will see him growing close to Cheryl again before they bid farewell to Weatherfield together.

Speaking of his departure, Thorp told All About Soap: "I'm absolutely fine with it - I've had a brilliant time and have loved playing Chris. It's been great to have a character who came in with a bang and is set to leave with one as well."

Meanwhile, discussing the illness plotline, he explained: "They tell Chris he has a very large tumour and the size of it means they can't operate. They suggest radiotherapy and try to reduce the size so they can then potentially operate. The future is looking very bleak for Chris at the moment."

After confiding in Cheryl about his illness and splitting from Maria, Chris is surprised when Lloyd lets him move in so he can be closer to his son.

Asked whether Chris's condition remains a secret to everyone else on the cobbles, Thorp replied: "No - Lloyd tells Karl and he tells everyone in The Rovers. Chris is very proud and doesn't want any pity. He tries to put off telling little Russ for as long as possible, but he knows something is wrong and so Cheryl decides they need to talk to him."

Chris's illness storyline comes to the forefront in next week's Coronation Street episodes.

[parkerman]

Remind me again, who are Chris, Cheryl and Russ....zzzzz.....

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Craig Charles has hinted that his character Lloyd Mullaney will live to regret welcoming Chris Gray into his home in a forthcoming storyline.

Lloyd makes the shock decision later this week while under pressure from his girlfriend Cheryl (Holly Quin-Ankrah), who is keen to support her ex after learning that he is suffering from a brain tumour.

Although Chris is initially sceptical, he soon takes up the opportunity because he wants to be closer to his former partner and their son Russ during his time of need.

Charles told Coronation Street's official website of his alter ego's surprise gesture: "Lloyd's right in the middle - he can't be seen to be this horrible man. He's trying to get Cheryl to love and respect him, and yet he can't stand the fella. He's caught right in the middle."

He continued: "Lloyd's moved into Number 13, Coronation Street. 13 doesn't look like it's going to be a lucky number for Lloyd, I tell you!"

Meanwhile, Will Thorp - who plays Chris - confirmed that the builder's illness will spark changes for his relationship with Cheryl.

"Chris's relationship with Cheryl naturally develops and they do start to become closer again," Thorp explained. "She's just by his side and kind of being his best friend. And Chris, out of everyone, is very happy for Cheryl to take that place in his life."

Back in May, unconfirmed reports suggested that Chris, Cheryl and Russ will all depart the street together later this year, leaving Lloyd heartbroken.

[alan45]

No big loss as far as I'm concerned. Glad to hear that Amber is coming back. Not sure of the rumoured storyline though a new Lesbian Lover for Sawfie Webster

The steamy plot will see Sophie Webster break girlfriend Sian Powers' heart by cheating with bisexual Amber Kalirai. It will kick-off in October, with Sophie succumbing to the advances of shopkeeper Dev Alahan's daughter.
But afterwards, guilt-ridden Sophie will ask Sian to marry her in a Christmas civil partnership. Sophie and Amber's affair will start on a night out while Sian is on holiday, when the pair share a kiss.
Amber, played by 21-year-old Nikki Patel, has planned a move on Sophie for weeks and the two go out a few times as pals. And to get her way One she spikes Sophie's drink with gin. Then later that night, while Sophie - played by Brooke Vincent - is being chatted up by a confident Jack the Lad, Amber seizes her chance.
She steps in between them and tells the fella she's her girlfriend. And as the stunned bloke looks on, Amber pulls Sophie close and tenderly kisses her.
Sozzled Sophie's first reaction is to pull away but then she leans back towards Amber and the two snog passionately.
On the way home in a taxi, Sophie is overcome with guilt. But when they arrive back, she kisses Amber goodnight. As the pair part, Sophie is already smitten.
At first, guilty Sophie is keen to make amends and asks Sian to marry her.

Betrayed ... Sian and Sophie

But as the Christmas ceremony draws closer she will realise it's Amber she wants and will dramatically call off the nuptials.
A Corrie insider told TV Biz: "It's all going to get very messy indeed.
"Sophie will be split about Sian and Amber - but it will be her feelings for Amber that will win the day.
"Sian will be devastated and will end up leaving Weatherfield for good."
It was revealed in May that Sacha Parkinson, 19, who has played Sian since 2009, would quit Corrie with her last scenes screened in early 2012.

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Holly Quin-Ankrah has revealed that the soap will air a shock fire plot in the coming weeks.

The actress announced the news on This Morning today, confirming that the blaze will tie in with the forthcoming departure of her character Cheryl Gray.

Cheryl is currently in a relationship with Weatherfield cabbie Lloyd Mullaney (Craig Charles), but her old spark with former partner Chris Gray (Will Thorp) has recently been reignited following his brain tumour diagnosis.

Earlier this year, it emerged that Cheryl, Chris and their son Russ will all be written out of the show as the storyline reaches its conclusion.

Teasing Cheryl's departure, Quin-Ankrah commented: "It's not too predictable. It might not be exactly how you expect it to be.

"There is a fire - it's dramatic! Something goes on fire - that's quite exciting."

Quin-Ankrah added that Cheryl will not be killed off in the blaze, leaving the door open for a possible return.

Reflecting on her time at Coronation Street, she continued: "It's been amazing. It's been an amazing experience, I've been really happy there. [I've been there] for 20 months, just under two years, and it's been fab.

"When I started, you don't know long you're staying. You think you're going to be there six months and that's it, so it's lovely."

Rival soap EastEnders has also been tipped to air a fire storyline before the end of the year.

[parkerman]

Quin-Ankrah added that Cheryl will not be killed off in the blaze, leaving the door open for a possible return.

Oh goody, I can't wait!