Coronation Street rocked as award-winning star dubbed ‘new Michelle Keegan’ QUITS to become fifth to leave in weeks
CORONATION Street beauty Charlotte Jordan has quit the soap — the fifth star to leave in just a month.
The 28-year-old, who plays Rovers barmaid Daisy Midgeley, will bow out later this year.
She said last night: “My time at Coronation Street is something I’ll always cherish.
“After a brilliant four years for Daisy, it’s time for me to start a new chapter and explore other opportunities.”
Charlotte, tipped as the next Michelle Keegan, has told sources that despite “loving the show” she is hungry to see what other opportunities await.
The popular star’s exit comes after four actors announced they are quitting or have been written out of the soap since December.
Charlotte said: “It’s been a privilege to be part of a wonderful institution with even more wonderful colleagues who have taught me so much.
“After a brilliant four years for Daisy it’s time for me to start a new chapter and explore other opportunities.”
An explosive storyline has been scripted for her exit.
Since arriving in 2020 Daisy has been part of the soap’s biggest moments including her stalking ordeal and a plot which saw her take over the Rovers with stolen money.
She won the British Soap Award for Best Dramatic Performance after Daisy was the victim of a wedding day acid attack by Justin Rutherford (Andrew Still).
At Christmas, Daisy discovered she was pregnant with the baby of ex Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) or new lover Kit Green (Jacob Roberts).
A source added: “Charlotte has loved her time on the cobbles but is young, ambitious and hungry to see what else is out there for her.
“She told bosses last April that her next contract would be her last, giving them a year to craft an exciting exit storyline.
“She’s still filming now and her final scenes will play out in early summer. She’s adored by cast and crew and will be hugely missed.”
ITV soaps Corrie and Emmerdale have seen budgets slashed recently.
New Corrie boss Kate Brooks warned last month she will be axing characters including “some unexpected ones that will send shockwaves”.
Colson Smith (Craig Tinker), Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw), Luca Toolan (Mason Radcliffe) and Sue Devaney (Debbie Webster) are quitting or have been written out.
Sean Wilson was axed in September over a historical sex claim of which he was later cleared.
He had been due to return as Martin Platt as part of the departure storyline for Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth.
Charlotte is a big loss for Corrie
THE Sun’s Soaps Editor Carl Greenwood reveals why this is a big loss for Corrie bosses
LOVE her or hate her, Daisy Midgeley injected some much-needed fire into Coronation Street when she joined in 2020.
From those early days as a scheming villain who crashed into former step-mother Jenny Connor’s life intent of causing chaos wherever she went, actress Charlotte made her mark.
But remarkably she did something much greater with Daisy – she made her human.
Over the years Daisy has kept her scheming ways but matured into a fully-rounded classic Corrie character who viewers adore.
Tasked with huge storylines like the acid attack – Charlotte’s proven she’s a great actress and she’s bound to have a bright future.
Losing Charlotte will be a tough blow for the soap – especially with the temporary exit of Lucy Fallon to maternity leave.
The cobbles are really lacking in younger female characters who aren’t Dee-Dee Bailey – and it’s beginning to show.
Corrie sparkles best with its succession of strong women – and it’s going to be difficult to replace Charlotte but they’ll have to find a way to do it and soon.
Corrie exit as soap hit by cash crisis
Colson Smith – who has played Craig Tinker for 14-years – took to Instagram 24-hours earlier (Monday 6th Jan) to announce his character had been written out of the show.
The 26-year-old told fans that he had been told by ITV bosses that his character was on the way out last year, he said: “Autumn last year I was told that Craig Tinkers time on the Cobbles is to come to end in 2025.
“I’ve LOVED every single second of my 14-year stay as a resident on the GREATEST street in the world.
“I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up in, on and around Coronation Street.
“I’ve learnt pretty much everything about life from the people who call it home.
“I’m excited to play out the exit story for Our Craigy.”
He added: “For Me, this is just the end of the beginning. I genuinely can’t wait to see what chapter 2 has in store for me.”
Luca Toolan – who has played Mason Radcliffe for 16 months – dramatically exited the show on airing on Monday (6th Jan) after the reformed bully was stabbed to death by his own brother.
The former Weatherfield High bully, played by newcomer Luca, 20, had been trying to turn his life around after he was imprisoned himself for possessing a knife amidst a cruel bullying campaign against fellow school pupil Liam Connor.
Luca’s proud dad, radio host Mike Toolan, wrote on social media: “What a journey. Unbelievably proud. Well done mate. @coronationstreet What a show, what an experience and what amazing friends you’ve made along the way. Here’s to the next chapter @lucatoolan.”
Sue Cleaver – who has played Eileen Grimshaw for 25-years – revealed on Saturday (4th Jan) she had decided to leave Corrie because it was “time to embrace change.”
In a statement, the 61-year-old actor and regular Loose Women panellist announced she was exiting the show to pursue new acting projects this spring.
She said: “I’ve had 25 privileged years of working on Coronation Street. The door is still firmly open but as I reached my 60th year, I decided it was time to embrace change, look for new adventures and live fearlessly.”
Sue Devaney – who has played Debbie Webster on and off for four decades – hit headlines last month with reports saying she was “furious” after learning she had been written out of the show.
Sources said the news allegedly came as a shock to the actress, who had no plans to leave the show and took time to process the decision.
It is believed that Debbie will be diagnosed with dementia in a hard-hitting plot, marking her departure from the soap.