Michelle Collins handed in her notice to quit Coronation Street recently after gruelling schedules and 250-mile weekend commutes from London to the Manchester studios left her feeling like a 'zombie.'
So on Tuesday night, the actress headed to her leaving party at Neighbourhood restaurant in Manchester with a select few cast members.
The 51-year-old, who stepped into the shoes of Rovers Return landlady, Stella Price, three years ago, will leave the ITV soap in June and will film her final scenes next week.
Chuffed to bits: Coronation Street star Michelle Collins looked happy as she headed out to her leaving party at Neighbourhood restaurant in Manchester with her cast mates on Tuesday night
It's a wrap: Michelle's last scenes will air in June although she will finish filming next week
Michelle looked ever so stylish in a practical ensemble which kept her warm in the cold, wintry weather.
She wore a brown furry jacket with black skinny jeans and heeled ankle boots as well as a black, leather Céline handbag. She added a black beanie hat and smiled for photographers.
Joining her on her big night were Corrie cast members; Michelle Keegan [Tina McIntyre], Katy Cavanagh, [Julie Carp] and Helen Worth [Gail Platt], Jane Danson [Leanne Tilsley], Sally Dynevor, [Sally Webster] and clothes designer Nadine Merabi.
The 51-year-old actress looked chic in her brown furry jacket which was sure to keep out the cold
Making memories: Michelle looked like she had a blast on the night out with her pals
Fun: No doubt the star was looking forward to letting her hair down a little with some of her cast mates
New venture: Collins is looking forward to having some time to write her new autobiography
Michelle recently told The Sun newspaper: 'I threw myself wholeheartedly into Corrie but I ended up spreading myself too thinly. The tiredness is the worst, it can make you a zombie.
'Work is fantastic, but it's not the be-all and end-all. You have to have some quality of life as well. If you don't have a work-life balance it can drive you a bit crazy I can't be Superwoman. I just can't do everything.
'Once I made four journeys between London and Manchester in one day. Another time I crashed into a parked car after a long journey. I knew the travel wouldn't be easy, but I didn't realise how hard it would be.'
Cosy: Michelle Keegan arrives at the restaurant with a friend
Snug: Helen Worth, who plays Gail Platt, looked cool in a padded jacket and sheepskin boots
Good thinking: Collins' hat kept her nice and toasty as she endured the freezing temperatures
Au naturel: Katy Cavanagh, who plays Julie Carp in the soap went to the bash make-up free
Michelle clearly wants to be around for her 18-year-old daughter Maia, from her relationship with former boyfriend Fabrizio Tassalini.
And it sounds like her next career move will enable her to be at home more often, because Michelle is currently writing her autobiography.
The book will detail her battles with eating disorders, how she walked out of her wedding to entrepreneur Parry Cockwell, as well as her court battle with Tassalini for custody of her daughter.
She recently said in a statement: 'I've been asked many times to write my story but the time has never been right. Now it's the right time.'
Friendly: Michelle, who plays Tina McIntyre in the ITV soap, snuggled up to another pal as she left the venue
Happy: Michelle and her friend smiled for the cameras
Flawless: Keegan had glowing skin as she made her way home