Life for the Platts changes forever on Coronation Street next week, as the family are rocked by the tragic and unexpected death of Kylie.
Show bosses have announced that Kylie will lose her life in shocking circumstances, just as she is planning to leave the Street forever with her husband David (Jack P Shepherd).
The exact details of how Kylie dies remain a closely-guarded secret, but Digital Spy recently caught up with Paula Lane - who plays her - for some more hints on what's in store.
What made you decide to leave Coronation Street?
"I have made no secret of the fact that I never saw myself being in a long-running drama for the rest of my career. I was only contracted for six months which spanned into a year, then three years. It ended up being six years.
"I have had a whale of a time and six years is a nice amount of time to make an impact, but not be typecast. I was very conscious of that. It was sort of looming and time goes so fast in soap, so I thought: 'I am going to have to run and jump and see that decision through'."
When you told the producers, did you think Kylie might be killed off?
"I knew it was a possibility. When you say, 'I am going to cut those strings', the writers have free rein to do what they want with your character. I felt like I own a very much-loved character and that comes with consequences in a way, as they want a big impact exit.
"It is what it is. My mum is devastated! But I am more than happy with the exit. Creatively I wanted to be able to play it, because I might never get to do it again."
How did the producers tell you about the decision?
"There were a series of meetings. From the off, it was said that Kylie might die and I went: 'Woah'. Then I sat down with the show's executive producer Kieran Roberts and he told me.
"When he went on to explain how and why, I was sold because I thought: 'This is epic, you don't get to have that kind of exit every day and people will really remember it'. That's what you need, I think, so I am chuffed to pieces. I want to leave the audience wanting more."
Is it sad not to have the door left open, though?
"This is the thing - they were so complimentary to me and they didn't want me to go in the first place. But they have made it clear that they feel there are certain people who won't ever need to come back.
"Although you can never say never - of course it would have been nice to have the door open, but I hope I can go on to do other things. This is a great spring board and I can use all the skills that I have learned and there are many. I feel like I have been given so much opportunity here and I am so grateful for that."
Can you tell us more about the death itself?
"I'm not just saying this because I'm involved, but I don't think I've ever read an ending like it. A lot of the cast who aren't actually involved in it have also read it and have said it's something else. It's almost not Corrie, if you know what I mean - it's very different.
"It's something that's never been done in soap before and I think the audience are going to get a real sense of shock and surprise - how a sudden death is. They're going to feel those emotions."
Is it one of the most shocking deaths in Corrie history?
"Yes. Without a doubt."
As Kylie has taken a life herself, do you think this is the ultimate soap justice?
"Yeah, and I have to admit that when they made Kylie a murderer, it was weird what washed over me. I did think: 'This means something quite big now'. It does change things for the character when there's a murder. Although I was assured that it didn't mean anything final for Kylie, you do then think that she - as a murderer - will be tarnished with something."
Did that have any bearing on your decision to leave?
"I think it just reinforced the fact that they can do whatever they want to a character. And I still wanted her to be believable. There were so many parts of her that I'd played, that I thought it was time for me to wrap it up."
What was Jack P Shepherd's reaction when you told him?
"He was very laid-back about it, but it is heartbreaking really because I could have seen Kylie and David last a lifetime together. It is hard when you have someone you have worked with for six years turn round and say 'I am going and I won't ever be coming back'."
As far as Kylie's relationship with David is concerned, is this the best way for her to leave?
"Yes - the family now get a clear cut end. She'll forever be in David's heart obviously, but one of the best ways for her to go is not by choice. David has to try and move on if she is dead, whereas if she had been in prison or had run away, he would always be waiting for her. It will be a long process but will give him some great drama."
How is Kylie doing in the lead-up to her death?
"Kylie is struggling with the fact that an innocent man's name has been trashed, but David is alright with that. He says 'We've won' and Kylie says 'I would hate to see it if we lost'.
"Gail has also decided that she doesn't want to be in the annexe any more, so it falls on Kylie and David to then take that room. It doesn't sit well with Kylie and it doesn't feel right.
"Kylie has this great idea that they will ship off to Barbados and start a new life together. You really see the old Kylie and David come back together - all that excitement, young free and easy. That was lovely to play, but all the crew behind me knew what was coming. We were building the audience up to crash them down."
Will you take any mementoes with you?
"I think it has got to be clean break - I don't think I am going to take anything. I have to put her in a box, literally. I think that is the healthiest option to do."
As you're currently pregnant, will you have much time off after Corrie?
"Yes, as much time as I am allowed, really. Of course it would be nice to have six months and then an amazing job comes up and all will be well, but we will wait and see, I am a big believer in fate and I think things will happen. I am also mindful not to jump at the first thing. It has got to be something very different from Corrie, but something that stretches me at the same time."
What would your dream job be?
"I loved Marcella. I loved the style, as it was really gritty. ITV has got some great dramas on at the minute, so you just have to see. Of course it's easy to say I would love to do something completely flipped from Corrie, like a period drama or sci-fi.
"But it's a good time for drama - that is the impression I am getting at the minute. And theatre as well. I would love to do something quite local, even if it was Leeds or Manchester, so I am more available for home as well."
How are you feeling about having to play dead?
"My mum's put a very weird spin on it: 'How strange that you're playing dead, yet you have a life in you!' I was like, 'Thanks mum. I'm only acting!' I guess it is a bit weird, though. I've never done it before. That's what I mean about being given a storyline like this. It's a new avenue, something different."
What's been your favourite storyline?
"They've all been pretty full-on, so it's hard to just pick one. I loved spending time with Katherine Kelly and being in her shadow when I started at Corrie. Then things got a bit more serious when Kylie slept with Nick and we had 'Is the baby Nick or David's?' thing.
"The live episode was epic too. I have never felt exhaustion like it. I actually took a picture of myself before we did it, when we were in rehearsals. I think it's on Twitter somewhere. But I also took a private one that I've not put out there. It's me, after the live, when I'd taken all my make-up off. I just look horrific! The pace at Corrie really stretches you and I've really had to dig deep at times to get through it."
What's been your proudest Corrie moment?
"I guess the live episode. The audience was completely oblivious to what me and Jack were doing logistically. We were full on running around the set with about 30 seconds to spare. It was crazy. And then all those millions of people watching. It was an unbelievable feeling and there was nowhere for me to go past that."
Digital Spy
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Originally Posted by Perdita
