SAD NEWS: Coronation Street cast exodus continues as yet another major star quits in huge blow to fans
Coronation Street star Farrel Hegarty has wrapped her time on the ITV soap.
The actress, 37, arrived on the cobbles in February as Lou Michaelis and alongside co-star Joe Layton, who plays Lou’s husband Mick, were tipped to be the Battersby family of the 21st century.
However, just weeks after their high-profile arrival on Mawdsley Street, both actors were confirmed to be leaving.
A Coronation Street’s spokesperson told Metro at the time: ‘This is not a shock exit or an early exit. Mick and Lou were brought into the show to cause chaos on the cobbles in the build-up to a major storyline in the summer and they are already making their presence felt.
‘Joe and Farrell were contracted for a specific length of time, some characters come in for a long time and some like Mick and Lou are brought to pass through and leave a trail of destruction behind them.
‘Both actors are still filming with the show and will be on screen until the summer.’
Branded the ‘neighbours from hell’ by show boss Kate Brooks, the couple immediately ruffled feathers throughout Weatherfield.
During his first scenes, it was revealed that Mick was the van driver who had been tormenting Chesney Winter-Brown (Sam Aston), later embarking on a feud with Debbie Webster (Sue Devaney).
His behaviour soon turned more sinister, beating Lou and then killing Craig Tinker (Colson Smith).
Mick subsequently threatened Bernie Winter (Jane Hazlegrove) with a cricket bat, before being arrested for his crimes.
In his absence, Lou has become dependant on Tim and Sally Metcalfe (Joe Duttine and Sally Dynevor) to care for their young daughters, and has developed an obsession with Gary Windass (Mikey North).
Now, Farrel has seemingly filmed her final scenes as she jetted off to Australia to reunite with her partner.
At the end of Friday’s episode, Gary was seen unconscious in a hospital bed.
Having been blackmailed by Lou – who had sent incriminating text messages to herself from his phone after attempting to kiss him – he fled Weatherfield and headed to visit his mum in Durham.