Coronation Street star in shock exit just months after making history
CORONATION Street star Joe Layton is set for a shock exit just months after making soap history.
The actor debuted as Mick Michaelis in February, but is soon waving goodbye to the cobbles.
Joe will film his final scenes next month, The Sun understands.
A source told us: “There was a lot excitement when Joe joined the soap as Mick, but his time is going to very short and sweet.
“He’s already caused a real stir and his exit over the summer is going to be great telly.
“He only ever signed a fixed date contract, but fans were really hoping he would be kept on.”
Coronation Street has been contacted for comment.
Speaking after joining the soap, Joe described landing a role in Corrie as “so exciting.”
He said: “Coronation Street is such an institute in British television and to get to walk down the cobbles in Mick’s shoes is so exciting.
“To also do it alongside Farrel is awesome – we are having great fun together and connecting really well whilst developing our characters.
“It also gives the opportunity to get a look behind the curtain of this huge machine and be a small cog within the big picture of Coronation Street and to work alongside people who take
such pride in their work.
“It’s just a really happy place, friendly and welcoming. I’m going to
relish every moment of it.”
Mick and wife Lou (Farrel Hegarty) arrived as the latest “nightmare neighbours“ on the soap.
They moved into Mawdsley Street, to the rear of Chesney (Sam Aston) and Gemma’s (Dolly-Rose Campbell) house.
With this bit of soap history, Corrie expanded its action beyond the ginnel for the very first time.
Some fans, however, hadn’t taken kindly to the characters and demanded they be axed.
Corrie cash crisis: shock exits for 2025
ITV bosses are locked in a battle to save the cash-strapped soap.
This means that a number of stars have either been axed from or have abandoned the long-running serial drama.
Colson Smith – Craig Tinker
The character of Craig Tinker has been axed by bosses after 14 years. After he was told of the news in Autumn 2024, Colson Smith confirmed that would be written out of the show with scenes to air later this year. Craig’s on-screen mum, Beth Tinker, also left the show in the summer when actress Lisa George was written out from the role.
Sue Cleaver – Eileen Grimshaw
After 25 years playing Eileen Grimshaw, former I’m A Celebrity campmate Sue Cleaver will quit the show. The Sun on Sunday reported in January that she’s already begun to film her exit scenes. However the character will not be killed off in case Sue opts to make a return in the future.
Luca Toolan – Mason Radcliffe
Bosses decided to axe the teenage character after just 16 months after he first joined the show. Recent scenes saw Mason stabbed by his criminal brothers after his pal Dylan brought a knife in an attempt to defend him.
Sue Devaney – Debbie Webster
In November 2024, we revealed that Debbie Webster is set to be killed off after 40 years on the cobbles. The character will die as part of a heartbreaking long-running dementia storyline.
Charlotte Jordan – Daisy Midgeley
The actress became the fifth star to leave Coronation Street in just one month. We revealed that she will bow out of the ITV soap later this year after four years on-screen. Charlotte told sources that she’s hungry to see what other opportunities await.
Shelley King – Yasmeen Metcalfe
The actress has played Yasmeen Metcalfe on the cobbles for the past 11 years and we revealed in January that she finished filming her final scenes. This follows the departure of her on-screen partner Stu Carpenter.
One wrote on X: “I wonder if we’re supposed to find their vulgarness endearing, like they’re a latter day Stan and Hilda or Jack and Vera.
“It hasn’t worked if that was the plan.
“They’re not remotely likeable as they are, so I suspect they’ll be toned down to become salt of the Earth lovable rogues within a month.”
Coronation Street continues on ITV1 and ITVX.