Faye Brookes is leaving Coronation Street after four years, she has announced.
The actress has revealed she will be saying goodbye to Weatherfield for “pastures new”.
Faye joined Coronation Street in 2015 as Kate Connor. Her final scenes will air later this year in September.
Teasing the ending for Kate, Faye said previously: “I’m really grateful for the ending Corrie have given me because it’s a positive one rather than grief and sadness, which Kate’s felt a lot of.”
First confirming her exit in April, Faye tweeted: “Thanks to everyone for your amazing support, but after 4 fabulous years in Weatherfield it’s time for me to explore new opportunities, I’ve loved playing Kate Connor, but she needs a break for a little while and so with a song in my heart I’m off to pastures new. #kana #corrie.”
In a statement, ITV said that the door was “left open” for Faye to return in future.
“Faye is a very talented actress who has put her all into the portrayal of Kate Connor for the past three-and-a-half years, we wish her every success for the future,” a spokesperson said.
They added: “She will be on screen until early Autumn and the door will be left open.”
According to The Sun newspaper, Faye will film her final scenes on Friday, July 19.
A source said: “It’s an exciting and really emotional time for Faye as she’ll be saying goodbye to the soap in a couple of days.
“She’s had such an amazing time there but made the decision in April to leave at the end of her contract.
“Her last scenes won’t air until September but she won’t be on the set again after tomorrow. Everyone will be really sad to see her go.”
Faye’s exit follows the death of her character Kate’s on-screen wife Rana Habeeb who died in a dramatic storyline.
“Rana’s death was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to film and emotionally I ran myself into the ground with it,” Faye admitted when filming the scenes earlier this year.
She recently said of Kate’s future on the show: “It would be nice to see her happy, but I honestly don’t believe she’ll ever be the same again. She’s on edge and I don’t know where that could go. Anything could happen and I love that about my job – it keeps you on your toes.
“I don’t know how anybody could get bored here at Corrie. But I do hope she finds some sort of happiness,” she added to TV Life in the Daily Star newspaper.
As well as her role on Corrie, Faye has worked on stage with roles in Grease, Shrek The Musical and Legally Blonde.
Coronation Street airs on ITV.
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