Katie McGlynn has become the sixth star to quit the Coronation Street in three months, sparking fears that the ITV soap is in crisis.
Just one day after Faye Brooks announced she was leaving Katie, 25, confirmed she was also set to quit the cobbles .
Fan favourite Katie has played Sinead Tinker since April 2013 and is the centre of many of the soap’s key storylines, reports the Mirror .
Katie is the sixth start to depart the soap this year after Faye Brooks, Tristan Gemmill, Connie Hyde, Kym Marsh and Bhavna Limbachia all revealed that they were quitting the show.
A Corrie spokesperson said: “Katie is fully committed to playing out the extremely important storyline she is currently portraying on screen. This story still has a long way to go. Any speculation threatens to undermine the storyline for viewers.”
(Image: Getty)
Most recently, Sinead was given the all clear from cancer after deciding to delay her treatment to give birth to baby Bertie.
Katie’s announcement has sparked fears that the ITV soap is in the midst of a mass exodus.
A source told The Sun : “Katie has just been nominated for a British Soap Award so it’s a big loss and not what bosses would have wanted to hear.
“She’s been central to a number of key storylines this last year or so and will need replacing urgently.”
(Image: ITV)
Katie first appeared in Corrie in 2013 – with Sinead arriving in Weatherfield to visit her auntie Beth and cousin Craig.
She quickly fell in love with Chesney Brown and the pair had an on-off relationship for several years.
They hit the rocks in 2017 when Sinead had an affair with Daniel Osbourne, who she went on to marry after a few bumps in the road in 2018.
(Image: Instagram/katiexmcglynn)
The news comes just one day after Faye Brookes became the fifth star to quit the the show in three months.
Taking to social media yesterday, the actress wrote that she would be leaving the role of Kate Connor to “explore new opportunities”.
She tweeted: “Thanks to everyone for your amazing support, but after 4 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. #corrie.”
The actress has appeared in the soap since 2015 as Kate Connor, who is best known for her relationship with Rana Habeeb, played by Bhavna Limbachia.
In a statement, Coronation Street said: “Faye is a very talented actress who has put her all into the portrayal of Kate Connor for the past three and a half years, we wish her every success for the future.
“She will be on screen until early autumn and the door will be left open.”
This comes just a week after actor Tristan Gemmill, who plays Robert Preston, announced that he was leaving.
The star also broke the news on Twitter and said that he would be making an exit later this year.
In March, actress Connie Hyde, who starred as Sally Webster’s sister Gina Seddon, revealed that she would be quitting. Her last scenes aired earlier this month.
Meanwhile Kym Marsh announced in February that she was leaving the soap after 13 years as Michelle Connor and said that she was keen to try something new.
