Seven Coronation Street actors have (so far) have announced that they will leaving the ITV soap... though this figure may change after writing this.
With so many characters stepping off the cobbles, it means endless possibilities for exit storylines and speculation is already rife.
Rana Habeeb and Gina Seddon have already left the cobbles, with the former in a casket, which means that there are five characters that viewers need to send off.
Considering that there are a number of ongoing storylines that are yet to be concluded, it stands to reason that one or two of these characters will be involved in some explosive finales.
So who will be killed off? And will one of the leaving actors be cast as the factory villain?
Here are some theories over stars' shock exits..
Sinead Tinker
Katie McGlynn announced that she would be leaving the cobbles earlier this week after six years.
Her character Sinead has been embroiled in a heartbreaking cervical cancer storyline while pregnant with son Bertie.
She finished her treatment earlier this year but news of the actress' exit does suggest that the cancer could return, resulting in her death.
Back in December 2018, boss Iain MacLeod had said admitted that, at that time, they didn't know whether Sinead would die but that she was "acting [her] way off the butcher's block.
"It’s a really long-running story and we genuinely haven’t decided what we’re doing with the ending," he told journalists at a press conference at Christmas.
"But the longer it goes on, the harder it becomes to kill Sinead because Katie and Rob [Mallard, who plays Daniel] have been so good in it. They’re almost acting their way off the butcher’s block."
Could confirmation of her exit also mean that bosses have decided to kill her off?
Alternatively, she could leave to get treatment abroad, but we can't imagine such a family-focused person like Sinead would split with Daniel and leave with her son...
Michelle Connor
Kym Marsh revealed in March this year that she would be leaving the soap after 13 years, but bosses have confirmed that her character Michelle won't be killed off.
Over the years Michelle has been involved in a number of harrowing storylines, including the stillbirth of her son with then-husband Steve.
Most recently, her scenes have centred around her break-up with volatile Robert and sister-in-law Carla's mental health struggle.
Actor Tristan Gemmill, who plays Robert, will be also leaving Corrie this year - could they be leaving together? The couple are no longer together, but could this change?
The pair split up after Michelle said that she didn't want to have a baby with him, so could these circumstances change?
Michelle's exit could also die in with the factory roof collapse, which has seen best friend Carla struggling.
Kate Connor
Actress Faye Brookes also confirmed this week that she would be leaving the soap, reportedly to spend more time with her fiance Gareth Gates.
Soap bosses have said that, unlike her character's love interest Rana, Kate will not be killed off and the door will be left open.
Her character is currently grieving and determined to find out who killed the love of her life on their wedding day by destroying the factory roof.
There were previously hints that Kate could reignite her romance with Sophie but, with her feelings so raw, this seems unlikely.
Could her exit involve unmasking the factory villain?
As with Michelle, Kate has ties with Robert after the pair were determined to have a baby.
Could bosses reignite this storyline and see both her and Robert leave to bring up their child?
Robert Preston
Last week Tristan Gemmill, who plays Robert, announced that he would be leaving the soap - but bosses have not confirmed that his character won't be killed off.
After splitting from Michelle, Robert's behaviour became erratic and he turned his anger towards Carla over hie break-up.
This puts him firmly in the line-up as the potential factory villain and even exposed Carla's wrongdoings at Rana's memorial.
Could his exit be the final nail in the coffin for his character? Does this mean that Robert is the person who sabotaged the roof?
However Michelle is also leaving the soap, meaning that there is also the potential for the pair to reunite and leave the soap together.
But it has also been revealed that he is set to spark up a romance with Vicki Jefferies, played by Kerri Quinn. Will she be involved in his exit?
Alternatively, he could leave with Kate if their baby storyline is reignited...
Bethany Platt
Actress Lucy Fallon announced on Thursday that she would be quitting the ITV soap, a decision she says she made last year in August.
Over the four years at the soap Lucy has been involved in a number of high-profile storylines as Bethany, including her harrowing grooming storyline.
She clarified the reason on Twitter and insisted that her decision had nothing to do with anyone at Corrie.
"I didn’t make it lightly and I am going to miss every single person there. Excited for my final year at the best place! Woo," she tweeted.
Bethany is not currently involved in any big storylines, but her uncles have both been trying to hide stealing money off Audrey.
Will she find out the truth? And could this spark her exit?
*Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV
