Four more to leave the cobbles

[Dennis tanner]

She added: "But I only live round the corner so I'll be popping in every day."

Parkinson's plans to leave Coronation Street first emerged back in May. Reports have since revealed that her exit occurs in the climax of a love triangle storyline featuring Sian, Sophie and Amber (Nikki Patel).

Till Security sort her out

[Perdita]

Coronation Street star Will Thorp has said that he is looking forward to new projects as viewers await the climax of his character Chris Gray's current storyline.

Chris is due to bow out from the cobbles later this year as his love triangle plot with Cheryl Gray and Lloyd Mullaney (Craig Charles) reaches its conclusion.

Speaking on Lorraine this morning, Thorp explained that he is keen to keep spicing up his career with a variety of roles.

"I haven't got a clue what I'm doing next. It's scary, but it's the charm of being an actor," Thorp commented. "I'm an actor that likes to play different parts.

"That's why Chris has been great. It's been great to be a Northerner and horrible - I'm not horrible in real life! So we'll see what's next."

Chris's current storyline sees him lying about his condition after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. Although doctors have informed him that he is on the road to recovery, Chris is pretending to still be seriously ill in a twisted plot to win back ex-partner Cheryl (Holly Quin-Ankrah).

Thorp said: "He came in as a wife-beating angry man. He has changed - he's been on a journey. We've seen that he has got a heart and he can be loyal. But unfortunately a leopard doesn't always change its spots, and we see that with Chris."

Asked whether Chris could get his comeuppance before he leaves, the actor replied: "Absolutely. He's been a very naughty boy and needs a slap!"

Coronation Street continues tonight at 8.30pm on ITV1.

[Dennis tanner]

Speaking on Lorraine this morning, Thorp explained that he is keen to keep spicing up his career with a variety of roles.

"I haven't got a clue what I'm doing next. It's scary, but it's the charm of being an actor," Thorp commented. "I'm an actor that likes to play different parts.

Nothing in the pipeline then. Not even Panto. I suggest Celebrity Big Brother

[lizann]

Coronation Street's Holly Quin-Ankrah reveals to Soaplife how Cheryl finds out Chris has been faking it - and how that dramatically changes her bedside manner!

Chris has wormed his way back into Cheryl's life by claiming he's a dying man - even though he now knows he's not. And when Cheryl finds out he's living one big fat lie she wants him out of her life all over again. "She's in a state of utter disbelief that Chris could sink so low," Holly tells Soaplife. "She's lost everything and made a huge mistake." A mistake she can't put right.

So has Cheryl fallen for Chris all over again or does she feel sorry for him?
"She loved Chris in the past and seeing a softer side to him is bringing up old feelings. It's like when they first met and married... It's passionate, fun and exciting and they're getting on really well."

But he used to beat her!
"When his tumour was diagnosed one of the side effects mentioned was mood swings, so maybe she's thinking his violence was due to the tumour."

How did she feel when Chris told Lloyd they're having an affair?
"Mortified. She loves Lloyd - even though she's being unfaithful - and doesn't want to hurt him. It was like a car crash taking place in front of her eyes."

We know Lloyd goes ballistic and knocks Chris out...
"Yes and Cheryl's terrified. Seeing Chris out cold scares her. She's really angry at Lloyd, but he's worried, too, and hopes he hasn't made Chris's condition worse."

Chris is rushed to hospital and the smelly stuff hits the fan, doesn't it?
"Cheryl finds out Chris has been lying to her. The doctor tells her the tumour has been shrinking and he should make a full recovery. Cheryl is shocked. She's pledged her future to Chris based on his illness and it's all been a huge lie. She's devastated and realises what a lowlife he really is. What's really appalling is that Chris has lied to their son Russ and that's unforgivable."

What happens with Lloyd?
"Cheryl begs him to take her back so she can pick up the pieces of her shattered life. She's always loved him and she's trying to get back what she's lost. I know she's upset Lloyd, but she was deceived, too, and now she's left with no one."

We know you're leaving Coronation Street, so what does that mean for Cheryl's future?
"If Lloyd won't take her back then Weatherfield has nothing for her and she'd look at making a fresh start somewhere else. It's a shame she's hurt Lloyd so badly because he really didn't deserve that."

[Dennis tanner]

Lloyd should dump her and rightfully so. Any fool could have seen he was getting better and he cannot trust her

[Perdita]

Coronation Street fans threw a leaving party for Sacha Parkinson outside the show's set, it has been reported.

It was announced in May that the actress, who plays Sian Powers, would be leaving the ITV1 soap in early 2012.

She filmed her final scenes for Coronation Street last week and was met by fans outside Granada Studios in Manchester, where a surprise party was held.

Parkinson was joined by her on-screen girlfriend Brooke Vincent, who plays Sophie Webster, The Sun reports..

She was said to be overwhelmed as fans gave her gold balloons that spelled her name alongside a cake and other gifts.

Speaking of her exit, Parkinson recently admitted that she has mixed feelings about leaving Coronation Street.

"I'm very sad but I'm very excited," she said. "I'm in two minds, I don't know whether I'll regret my decision or not but as it's come closer I know it's what I need to do.

"But it's a sad place to leave because everyone's like a family and everyone's so close. But I only live round the corner so I'll be popping in every day."

[Dennis tanner]

I doubt if they will want her to pop in every day

[parkerman]

But I only live round the corner so I'll be popping in every day."

Not reckoning on getting much work then.

[Dennis tanner]

Not reckoning on getting much work then.

She needs to explain what she's so excited about. It surely can't be the job centre

[Perdita]

Sacha Parkinson has revealed that she found filming her final scenes with best friend Brooke Vincent both difficult and easy last month.

The Coronation Street actress - who will leave her role as Sian Powers at the end of her contract in early 2012 - filmed her last scenes with her on-screen girlfriend and real-life best friend Brooke Vincent, who plays Sophie Webster.

She revealed to the Manchester Evening News that because of the pair's genuine sadness for her exit, it made filming the scenes much easier to act out.

"The last scenes were actually easier because both myself and Brooke had to be so upset for them," she said. "It was hard for us as people, but easy to play out the emotions because we were so upset ourselves!"

Parkinson added that while she is looking forward to life after Coronation Street, she is currently not looking beyond Christmas due to other commitments.

"I'm really excited about the future, but it won't feel real until after Christmas as I'm still tied to a lot of media work with Corrie up until then," she said.

"Everything breaks up for Christmas and after that I'll start to think about what will be next career-wise."

Sacha Parkinson was thrown a farewell party by Coronation Street fans outside the show's set last month.