Coronation Street star Hayley Cropper set to leave Weatherfield after 15 years

After 15 years on the cobbles of Weatherfield, Hayley Cropper is saying goodbye for the final time.
The first ever main transgender character in Coronation Street will be given a fitting explosive and dramatic exit to the show at the end of this year.
Julie Hesmondhalgh, who plays the fan favourite Hayley, thanked Corrie bosses for giving her the life changing role on the soap.

No encore: Hayley Cropper, played by Julie Hesmondhalgh, is leaving Coronation Street after 15 years

Speaking to the Daily Mirror newspaper she said: 'I've had the most wonderful and happy time in the life-changing years I've been in Corrie and I owe so much to the show and the special team that make it happen.'
Julie, 42, had recently taken a two month break from the show in order to star in Black Roses: The Killing Of Sophie Lancaster at Manchester's Royal Exchange.
She told the newspaper: 'The decision to hang up Hayley's red anorak was a tough one, but doing the play at the Royal Exchange last year made me realise that there's life in the old dog yet and that there are other things I want to try.
'Whatever happens next I'll always be proudest of lovely Mrs Cropper and in particular what we achieved in changing attitudes to transgender and in portraying possibly the most loving, faithful and steadfast couple in soap history! I'll always be the show's biggest fan.'

Perfect partner: Hayley and onscreen husband Roy Cropper became fan favourites with their transgender relationship

Black Roses is based on a radio play that is described as an 'elegy' for Sophie Lancaster, a 20-year-old girl who was kicked to death by a group of teenagers in Lancashire in 2007. Julie played Sophie's mother.
Coronation Street executive producer Kieran Roberts said: 'We'll be sorry to say farewell to Hayley - and to Julie.
'But we're planning a screen exit worthy of one of Coronation Street's best-loved characters.'

Coming a cropper: Hayley has been promised an explosive exit from the soap by Corrie producers

Hayley, who first appeared on screen in 1998, quickly became popular with viewers for her love-thy-neighbour attitude and good heart.
Together with onscreen husband Roy Cropper, played by David Nielson, the pair shared a British soap award for best partnership in 1999 and 2004.

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