Corrie's Beverley Callard is quitting the soap after 30 years as Liz McDonald
She's a fan-favourite!
Actress Beverley Callard has revealed that she's leaving Coronation Street after 30 years of playing Rovers matriarch Liz McDonald. The 62-year-old, who first joined Corrie as Liz in 1989, has confirmed that she will be bowing out of the show to focus on other projects.
Although Beverley has been working elsewhere over the last couple of years, she's made the decision to cut her ties with Corrie after finding a love of the stage, performing in The Thunder Girls alongside Coleen Nolan and Sandra Marvin which she's now taking on the road in a tour.
Speaking in an interview with OK! magazine, Beverley confirmed the news, saying, "I was in shock, I felt totally numb," adding that she'd had "so many sleepless nights" over the decision to call it quits, but knew it was the right thing to do.
Although she doesn't yet know what her exit storyline will be, Bev did say, "I’ve been told Liz is going to go with one hell of a bang. I cant wait!"
She's also broken the news on Twitter, replying to fans who've been left upset by the news. She wrote, 'Thank you @OK_Magazine !!! I absolutely loved our shoot and interview - so sad to be leaving my beloved Corrie.... but excited about the future and heading back out on the road again with thethundergirls.co.uk ... catch me on @loosewomen later - talking about 30 years of Liz!'
She also added, 'I’m not going just yet - Liz has got plenty of drama ahead ❤️,' and, 'Sorry my darling it is true but I’ll be going out with a bang 💥! I talk all about my decision to leave in todays @OK_Magazine ❤️⚡️ I won’t be off relaxing though ...I’m heading back out on the road with thethundergirls.co.uk & Liz isn’t going just yet! So lots to come for her!.'
Scroll through to see all the Coronation Street spoilers you need to know for next week...
Daniel returns from Scotland with Bertie for Sinead's funeral, where everyone is left in tears by his speech.
As everyone gathers at The Rovers after the service, Daniel announces he's going home to watch the videos Sinead left for him and Bertie.
But when Daniel returns home from the funeral he's devastated to find his flat has been ransacked and the laptop is gone.
Daniel calls Peter who is still at the funeral to tell him about the robbery, and Peter sends Carla to look after Daniel while he files a report with police.
Elsewhere, Paul is confused when Billy offers Bernie a cleaning job at the church, and when he asks Billy why, Billy says it's because he loves him and he wants to help.
Later on, Billy arrives home to find that Paul has cooked him a surprise dinner and laid the table for a romantic meal. Paul tells Billy he wants him in his life and Billy promises to support Paul through his trauma.
The following day, Craig has a day off and offers to go with Daniel to look around the local pawn shops to see if they can find the stolen laptop.
When Daniel spots it in a glass cabinet, he grabs a nearby golf club and, accusing the shop keeper of handling stolen goods, smashes the glass.
The police are called and it soon becomes apparent that the laptop isn't Daniel's. Daniel is arrested – can Craig convince the police to release Daniel, given the circumstances?
Back at home, Daniel finally breaks down in Beth's arms as he realises he may never get to watch the videos from Sinead, and Beth tries her best to comfort him.
Meanwhile, Carla is flummoxed that Michelle is sticking by Robert, despite the affair, but Michelle swears Carla to secrecy,
Back at Vicky's house, Vicky lays into Robert for leading a double life, and telling her he would break up with Michelle when he hasn't.
When Tyler arrives home he sees red, throwing punches at Robert and Vicky frantically tries to separate them.
Once Tyler calms down, a devastated Vicky angrily orders Robert to leave and tells him to stay away from her and the baby.
When Billy reveals his planner was stolen from the church - containing details about Sinead's funeral – Paul and Gemma put two and two together to work out that Kel and Bernie must have broken into Daniel's place while he was at the service.
After finding a bag of stolen goods underneath the stairs at number 5, a furious Gemma kicks Bernie out, saying she's gone too far this time – but Bernie seems genuinely perplexed.
After apologising to Bernie for wrongly accusing her, Paul, Gemma, Bernie and Billy break into Kel's flat where they find the stolen laptop, and a stack of old photos of Paul and other boys.
As Bernie and Gemma reel in horror at the truth, Billy implores Paul to report Kel but Paul insists that raking through the past would be too painful, and Billy understands.
Elsewhere in Weatherfield, Michael is shocked by a chance meeting with his ex, Grace, and their daughter in the Freshco carpark – but when Grace sees him she just drives off.
Later on Micheal tells his parents about his run in with Grace, and just then there is a knock at the door - it's Grace, who tells Michael their child needs a responsible father to rely on.
After much consideration, Shona and David tell Max and Lily their plan to formally adopt them. But when Max is only concerned with seeing Marion, David is disappointed.
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV.
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