Faye Brookes announced her exit from Coronation Street today – but claimed weeks before that she had zero plans to leave the soap.
Faye, 31, broke the news she was disappearing from the cobbles to her 79,400 Instagram followers on Tuesday.
She wrote: “Thanks to everyone for your amazing support, but after four fabulous years in Weatherfield it’s time for me to explore new opportunities.
“I’ve loved playing Kate Connor, but she needs a break for a little while and so with a song in my heart I’m off to pastures new.”
However, her decision to quit has left diehard fans confused, considering Faye recently made it clear that she wasn’t planning on going anywhere only weeks ago.
During an interview with OK! magazine, Faye claimed that she felt as though she had “only just begun” to settle into the role.
“Death was the only realistic way for Bhavna Limbachia to leave because I’m not going anywhere,” said Faye.
QUIT: Faye Brookes has left Corrie (Pic: ITV)
COBBLES: The star announced her departure on Tuesday (Pic: ITV)
“I love my job and feel like I’ve only just begun to sink my teeth into Kate.”
Following her announcement, claims emerged that Corrie is “in crisis” after she became the fifth star to leave in a matter of months.
However, a source close to the show told Daily Star Online: “The cast is bigger than it has ever been and although some cast have left, there’s a new family of four.
CONFUSED: Kate said last months she wasn’t leaving (Pic: ITV)
BAFFLED: Fans don’t understand what happened (Pic: ITV)
“Cast come and go all the time,” added the source.
Faye’s departure comes after the exit of Kate’s on-screen partner Rana Habeeb (Bhavna Limbachia).
Rana died on the show back in March on what would have been the pair’s wedding day as the Underworld factory roof collapsed.
The aftermath from that is still being experienced on the show as residents try to discover what really went on.
