CORONATION Street veteran Shelley King has become the latest star to leave the soap.
The actress has played Yasmeen Metcalfe on the cobbles for the past 11 years and has now finished filming her final scenes.
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Shelley, 69, will appear for the last time on the ITV soap in March, though it’s not clear how she’ll exit Weatherfield.
A TV insider said: “This will be another blow for fans of the show, as Yasmeen is a much-loved character who’s part of the fabric of Corrie.
“She’s had some huge storylines since she joined the soap in 2014, and she’ll be sorely missed by cast and crew.
“It’s understood she is leaving so she can explore other projects.”
The former librarian arrived on the street with her first husband Sharif and their son Kal and their two grandchildren. Tragedy followed as Kal was killed in a fire and Sharif had an affair with her friend so she kicked him out.
Worse was yet to come, however, when she married controlling Geoff Metcalfe in 2019 who she eventually stabbed in the neck due to his constant abuse.
Though he recovered, she was charged with attempted murder but found not guilty. Since then she briefly found love again with chef Stu Carpenter.
A show insider said: “Shelley spoke to producers early last year and advised that after 10 years on the show and being involved in many major storylines during the past decade she had decided the time has come for her to explore other opportunities.
“Shelley is an accomplished stage and television actress and we fully understand her desire to take her career in another direction after 10 years playing the same role.
“She filmed her final scenes in December.”
Shelley is the sixth star in just weeks to leave the tea-time show.
Last week The Sun told how Charlotte Jordan, 28, who plays Rovers barmaid Daisy Midgeley, will bow out later this year.
Charlotte told sources that despite “loving the show” she is hungry to see what other opportunities await.
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Her exit came after four actors announced they are quitting or have been written out of the soap since December.
Colson Smith (Craig Tinker), Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw), Luca Toolan (Mason Radcliffe) and Sue Devaney (Debbie Webster) are quitting or have been written out.
Sean Wilson was axed in September over a historical sex claim of which he was later cleared.
He had been due to return as Martin Platt as part of the departure storyline for Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth.
We told how actors have vented their fury on a WhatsApp group over fears they could be next to be cut.
The soap is battling for survival amid ITV’s cash crisis and a revolt from cast over working conditions and pay.
