Coronation Street set to axe multiple characters as new show boss reveals several ‘unexpected exits’ that will send ‘shockwaves’ through the soap

Coronation Street’s new boss has warned that multiple characters face the axe as she told of several ‘unexpected exits’ coming up for 2025.

The ITV soap’s new producer Kate Brooks, who previously took the helm at Emmerdale, recently opened up about her plans for Weatherfield and its residents in the coming New Year.

And while there’s plenty of sizzling storylines and drama to come, there are several cast members who won’t get to see this as their characters are set to leave the show in a move that is tipped to send ‘shockwaves’ throughout the show.

Speaking to The Sun and other press, Kate explained of the upcoming plans: ‘There are a few exits this year, and some unexpected ones that will send shockwaves.

‘People might not expect the exits, but there are a few.’

However, amidst the shock departure, Coronation Street is set to welcome back a few familiar faces as well as some new additions.

The ITV soap’s new producer Kate Brooks, who previously took the helm at Emmerdale , recently opened up about her plans for Weatherfield and its residents in the coming New Year

Most notable among the comebacks is Rob Donovan – Carla Connor’s brother who is serving time in jail for the murder of Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan). 

Actor Marc Baylis, who plays the villain, has reportedly already returned to filming, with his character no doubt set to have a huge impact on Carla, his son Bobby and Carla’s new romance with police officer Lisa Swain.

Detailing his big return, Kate shared: ‘We last left Rob languishing in prison. He made mistakes. He comes back to the show and we think he might be a reformed character who has seen the error of his ways, but whether that’s the case or not, I don’t know!

‘He definitely comes back and causes a lot of trouble for Carla and Lisa. Just when Carla and Lisa think it’s safe to sit down and watch Netflix, Rob Donovan comes along and scuppers all of that.’

Kate went on to add that Rob’s return will be a ‘a big story’ for the family which will have plenty of ‘of twists and turns’ to keep soap fans well and truly entertained. 

In addition to Rob, Kevin and Debbie’s long-lost brother Carl Webster, who has never been seen on screen, will make an unexpected arrival in his siblings’ lives. 

She told how there are ‘big stories’ on the horizon for Kevin and Debbie that will ‘build up’ the Webster clan, with Kate stating that she believes the three big clans of the soap are the ‘Websters, Barlows and Platts’. 

MailOnline have contacted Coronation Street representatives for comment. 

While there’s plenty of sizzling storylines and drama to come, there are several cast members who won’t get to see this as their characters are set to leave the show in a move that is tipped to send ‘shockwaves’ throughout the show

‘There are a few exits this year, and some unexpected ones that will send shockwaves. ‘People might not expect the exits, but there are a few’

Meanwhile, Kate – who took charge of the soap earlier this year – also opened up about her overall vision for the coming year, detailing how she plans for more issue-based storylines. 

She said: ‘I think it’s important that we tell gritty, issue-led stories – and we’ve got those coming up in abundance – but it’s about packaging them in the right way and keeping them fresh and different, without losing the DNA of Corrie.

‘What makes Corrie so wonderful is the familiarity of it. It’s the wit, it’s the characters. All of these stories have been packaged with that in mind. That will be at the heart of every one’, she told Digital Spy.

The producer went on to say that there’s an abundance of ‘bold, innovative storytelling’ and ‘compelling drama’ coming up in the soap, at the heart of which is ‘a truth’.

She went on to confirm that the show’s key families – including the Websters, Platts and Connors – will be firmly at the centre of the big ‘really exciting’ storylines that are set to leave audiences on the edge of their seats.

Most notable among the comebacks is Rob Donovan – Carla Connor’s brother who is serving time in jail for the murder of Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan)

‘He definitely comes back and causes a lot of trouble for Carla and Lisa. Just when Carla and Lisa think it’s safe to sit down and watch Netflix, Rob Donovan comes along and scuppers all of that’  [Carla and Lisa pictured]

In addition to Rob, Kevin and Debbie’s [pictured] long-lost brother Carl Webster, who has never been seen on screen, will make an unexpected arrival in his siblings’ lives

She went on: ‘My vision is making sure that we keep people engaged, keep people entertained and keep people guessing. We don’t want them to become complacent, we want to pull the rug from underneath them sometimes. We want them to be sat at home with a cup of tea and a biscuit and have something happen that they did not expect. So expect the unexpected in 2025.’ 

The huge new plans comes off the back of the emotional exit of show legend Gail Platt, during the soap’s dramatic Christmas special.

In the show, legendary actress Helen Worth officially bid farewell to the cobbles of Weatherfield after playing the role of Gail for 50 years. 

But after fans feared she would be killed off, Gail instead had a happy exit that saw her start ‘day one of her new life’ with husband Jesse Chadwick (John Thompson) abroad. 

While the hour did not see her death, the Christmas day storyline saw an engagement, a pregnancy, an arrest, multiple fights and a lot tears. 

With the episode setting the scene for an emotional Christmas episode, Gail was sinisterly serenaded by the ghost of her old murderous partner, Richard Hillman (Brian Capron).

The huge new plans comes off the back of the emotional exit of show legend Gail Platt , during the soap’s dramatic Christmas special 

The legendary actress Helen Worth has officially bid farewell to the cobbles of Weatherfield after playing the role of Gail for 50 years

While it was speculated that the festive episode would see her death after suffering from a series of heart problems, Gail exited the iconic show by moving away to Jesse’s villa abroad

Being haunted by the notorious villain, which ended in an argument about her past, Gail was left distressed on Christmas morning as she woke up shouting that she was ‘not that woman anymore’.

Claiming she had an epiphany, Gail ran out to her partner Jesse and confessed that she needed a groom and that the wedding was back on.

He romantically asked her if she was available for 2pm as they confirmed that their big day was back.

Gail’s mother, Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls), attempted a last-minute olive branch and knocked on Gail’s door, to which Tina shot down her festive spirits and said she was not welcome.

Despite this, she still turned up at the venue before the big celebration to ‘wish her good luck’, to which Gail expressed her devastation that she did not support her decision to go abroad and start a new life.

With their relationship held together by a string, Audrey was given a second chance to withstand the test of time for their family bond.

But there was soon more drama as Nick’s (Ben Price) estranged wife, Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson), brought the police to the wedding as she accused him and his partner Toyah (Georgia Taylor), who is also her sister, of fraud.