Five go from the Street

by RICHARD SIMPSON, Evening Standard

Five Coronation Street stars are leaving, it was confirmed today.

The actors are seeing out their current contracts but will vanish from screens during the next 12 months.

They are mechanic Tommy Harris and his wife Angela, played by Thomas Craig and Katherine Hunt, Rovers barmaid Bev Unwin (Susie Blake), Nicky Tilsley (Adam Rickitt) and cleaner Harry Flagg (Iain Rogerson).

A Granada spokeswoman said the decision to ask them to leave was taken at a long-term story conference attended by new producer Tony Wood, who joined the soap last month.

"Their departures are by no means sudden," she added.

"All the actors in question have made a valuable contribution. The nature of the show is that characters come and go. There have always been characters who come to the Street for a limited period."

A source added: "Tony is happy to make bold decisions and he has the courage of his convictions.

"Those going are all established jobbing actors and won't have seen the Street as a long-term commitment."

Granada also confirmed that two Coronation Street characters are returning - Liz McDonald, played by Beverley Callard, and Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson).

Comedian Bradley Walsh is also joining the Street as Mike Baldwin's nephew.

Wood's clear-out is being compared to that of Brian Park, the producer who ditched nine stars in the late Nineties.

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