Former Coronation Street star Mollie Gallagher has told fans she's 'home' as she prepares to take on her latest role just a stone's throw away from the famous cobbles. At the end of August, the actress was seen bowing out of the ITV soap, which is filmed in Salford, after almost seven years in the role of Nina Lucas.
Nina's journey on the cobbles
Fans will recall that Nina, the niece of cobbles legend Roy Cropper, arrived on-screen in November 2019, when she was taken in by her uncle after her ill father, Richard Lucas, died. After quickly becoming popular among Corrie fans, Mollie became involved in one of the programme's biggest storylines in 2021, a hate crime storyline which claimed the life of Nina's boyfriend, Seb Franklin.
But just weeks ago, after six and a half years in Weatherfield, Nina was seen saying an emotional farewell to Roy and her friends after deciding to move to Whitby to start a dream job at an art gallery.
An emotional farewell
Following the scenes, Mollie took to social media to pay tribute to her beloved character, and her time spent on the famous cobbles. "Nina and Corrie you have been a dream," she said. "I stepped foot on to the cobbles almost 7 years ago and what a time it has been!"
The soap star continued: "As a working class actor from Salford, I am proud to be part of a show that feels like home, and I am beyond grateful for everything, and everybody there. Corrie brought a dream of a character to life and I can't believe l get to say I played a dream role for my first ever acting job. Just a goodbye for now," before adding: "stay weird".
Back on home soil
Mollie's exit as Nina didn't come as a surprise to fans, as it had already been confirmed that she would be bowing out of the long-running programme so she could make her stage debut as Clarice Starling in the UK and Ireland tour of The Silence of the Lambs. But this week, the soap star will be back on home soil as she'll bring the iconic character to the Lowry stage.
Taking to Instagram, she shared a photo of herself and told her followers: "Hi Salford. She is home and ready for the stage." Her former Corrie co-stars were quick to show their support as they planned to see her on stage. Harriet Bibby, who plays Summer Spellman, said: "Welcome home babyyyyy! Can't wait!" Toyah Battersby actress Georgia Taylor replied: "Can't wait to see you shine, darling," Sue Devaney, best known for playing Debbie Webster, commented: "Can't wait to see you," while Maria Windass actress Samia Longchambon added: "Can't wait to see you!!"
