Corrie airs sudden exit for major character - but there's another departure ahead

Coronation Street aired a major exit on the ITV soap on Friday night, as a character left the cobbles without revealing when they might be back.

Fiz Brown departed Weatherfield for a new job opportunity in Norwich, leaving her husband Tyrone Dobbs and their children Hope and Ruby behind.

The character made the sudden exit just an episode after boss Stephen Reid offered her the new role, explaining it would double her salary.

While other factory workers wanted the role it was Fiz that got offered it, and she decided to go ahead with it.

On Friday night, her daughters were torn about the news as they knew it would mean their mum leaving for a while.

Eventually they came round to it and hugged her, before waving Fiz off as she was driven away to the train station by Tyrone.

It appears it isn't a permanent exit for the character, who first joined the show in 2001 and has remained on the soap for 22 years.

Coronation Street aired a major exit on the ITV soap on Friday night (ITV)

Fiz actress Jennie McAlpine confirmed she was pregnant with her third child earlier this year, and she told Loose Women she was due around Easter time.

So it seems the actress is now on maternity leave, and that her departure is to write her character out for this time.

But Fiz couldn't tell the girls when she would be back, with no indication from the show telling viewers when Fiz will return.

It comes as a second resident close to Fiz will soon leave the cobbles, while a third character is also leaving the show at some point this year.

Evelyn Plummer will be taking a break from the ITV soap at some point this year, with the character set to exit Weatherfield somehow.

Fiz Brown departed Weatherfield for a new job opportunity in Norwich (ITV)

Actress Maureen Lipman is taking a break from the show to focus on a brand new role, with her heading for the stage to perform a one woman show, Rose, at the West End later this year.

Elsewhere, and it was reported Faye Windass would be leaving the show in a summer storyline after actress Ellie Leach quit the role after 12 years.

A source told The Sun: "Ellie’s been on the soap since she was 10 years old so it’s all she’s known, she sees the cast like an extension of her family. She’s sad to be leaving, but grateful that her character won’t be killed off.

"She’s going to have a go at trying other acting roles for a bit."

Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITV X.