Coronation Street fans left heartbroken as ITV soap icon quits show after 10 years

A icon is the cobbles after a decade on soap, leaving fans devastated.

has played Gemma Winter since 2014, and her character has never been far from the drama in Weatherfield. She kept her criminal past hidden from the her neighbours, and Gemma has had her hands full as she raised quadruplets Aled, Bryn, Carys and Llio with husband Chesney. The stressed-out mum was diagnosed with post-natal depression after her four children arrived, and she was dealt another blow when she was forced to work several jobs to keep her and Chesney afloat.

In recent months, she has been left heartbroken following the death of her beloved twin brother Paul Foreman. The builder, portrayed by Peter Ash, was diagnosed with motorneuron disease last year, and the character passed away in devastating scenes in September, leaving viewers sobbing. His death has deeply impacted his twin sister, but her family are concerned for her welfare as it emerges she’s struggling with Paul’s passing.

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In Monday’s episode, she returned to her job at The Rovers Return, despite Chesney protesting that it was too soon for his wife to head back to work. Sadly, she became overwhelmed, and was forced to take refuge in the back of the pub away from prying eyes. She’s consoled by her brother Kit, who sweetly suggests he has a friend with a cottage in the Lake District, that could be a good location for Gemma to have a well-deserved getaway.

She soon agrees to the chance of having a break from Weatherfield after months of stress, and was encouraged by her husband, who understood it was time for Gemma to focus on her own mental wellbeing for the sake of herself, and her young family. Corrie fans were disappointed to see her take a indefinite break from the soap, with many taking to the official page to share their sadness.

“She is playing her character so well and going through hell,” one wrote, as another agreed: “Can't blame her for needing a breather to find herself again.” “Hope she comes back soon,” one viewer remarked, as another commented on the abruptness of her dpearture: “Seems a bit sudden.”

But back in Weatherfield, things don’t go so well for Chesney, who struggles to balance work at Prima Doner as well as looking after the kids. Meanwhile, while covering for Chesney at the kebab shop, Kirk unknowingly serves a health inspector, which could spell bad news for Chesney.

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