Coronation Street star Shelley King has broken her silence following her exit from the soap, describing it as “very sad”.

The actor called time on her 11-year stint on the ITV soap in January, with her character, Yasmeen Metcalfe, leaving Weatherfield during Monday’s (March 10) episode as she took up a new job in London.

Following the emotional departure, King – who reportedly departed the soap to pursue other career opportunities – recorded a video with the soap’s official social Instagram account to bid her farewell, paying tribute to fans in the process.

“Hello, everybody, Yasmeen here; although I’m also known as Shelley King,” the actor quipped. “Yasmeen has been my name for the last 10-and-a-half years in this glorious street – I’ve been so privileged to be living in number six.

“I’ve had the most wonderful time. I’m very sad to be leaving. I just felt I’d have to try going back to the stage, trying to refresh Yasmeen. As you know, Yas and I are very close. She’s going to do other things.

“She will not say ‘goodbye’. She will say, as the French say: ‘à bientôt’, which means ‘see you soon’. Somewhere, somehow,” she continued, before adding that the “wonder” of the soap was its ability to treat important issues with “great gentleness and purpose”.

After thanking fans for their support and insight throughout her tenure, King teased the prospect of reprising her role in the future, concluding the video by noting that it was “bye bye for now”.

The post also received plenty of comments from fans and co-stars. Sydney Martin, who plays Betsy Swain on the soap, wrote: “Love you Shelley❤️”. Former co-star Alexandra Mardell, who played Emma Brooker, also sent a message, consisting of three love heart emojis.

“Superb performances over the last decade or so. I hope you get lots of great theatrical roles which are rewarding to play. Good luck always Shelley!” one fan wrote, with a second adding: “Noooooo one my other favs too 😢 I really liked her.”