Major Cast Departures Hit Coronation Street and Emmerdale
Several beloved characters from Coronation Street and Emmerdale are set to leave the ITV soaps in 2026, with insiders warning that 'no one is safe' amid ongoing budget cuts. The first half of the year has already seen notable exits, including Coronation Street's Billy Mayhew (Daniel Brocklebank), who was killed off in January during the Corriedale crossover episode. In Emmerdale, villain Ray Walters (Joe Absolom) was murdered by Bear Wolf (Joshua Richards) at the start of the year.
An ITV spokesperson declined to comment on cast contracts, but multiple reports indicate that cost-cutting measures are driving the departures. Here is a breakdown of the stars leaving or recently exited.
Coronation Street Exits
Mollie Gallagher (Nina Lucas)
Mollie Gallagher, who joined Coronation Street in 2019 as Nina Lucas, is leaving after six and a half years. The actress has already secured a new role as Clarice Starling in the stage production of The Silence of the Lambs. A Coronation Street spokesperson told Digital Spy: 'Mollie has created a unique and well-loved character in Nina over the past six and a half years, and everyone will be sorry to see her go.'
Claire Sweeney (Cassie Plummer)
Claire Sweeney, who has played Cassie Plummer since 2023, quit the show in January. Her character will depart the cobbles in the summer in a 'dramatic' exit. Sweeney is set to take on the role of Miss Hannigan in the upcoming tour of Annie.
Sue Devaney (Debbie Webster)
Debbie Webster, played by Sue Devaney, was diagnosed with young-onset vascular dementia in 2025. While her storyline will eventually lead to an exit, Devaney confirmed in June 2025: 'I know the story is going to go on well into 2027, so Debbie’s not going anywhere yet.'
Emmerdale Exits
Bradley Johnson (Vinny Dingle)
Vinny Dingle, played by Bradley Johnson, is leaving after seven years. An Emmerdale source told The Sun: 'Bradley is a very popular member of the cast and especially close with his on-screen Dingle family. Everyone is shocked that bosses decided to axe him but it’s all part of the ITV cuts and they still need to trim back the cast.'
Nick Miles (Jimmy King)
Reports in May suggested that Nick Miles, who has played Jimmy King for over 20 years, has been let go and will be killed off. A source told The Sun: 'Bosses are under pressure to cut costs and sadly that means popular cast members being told their time is up. Once the decision was made that Nick would be leaving, the writers quickly realised his character wouldn’t abandon his wife and children so they had to kill him off.'
Olivia Bromley (Dawn Taylor)
In March, Olivia Bromley was dropped after eight years as Dawn Taylor. According to The Sun, her co-stars were furious over her axing. A source said: 'Olivia is adored by everyone at Emmerdale, so the decision to axe her has not gone down well at all. She’s a popular member of the cast, and if they can get rid of Olivia, then the feeling is virtually no one is safe.' Bromley is preparing to film her exit in the coming months.
Jack Downham (Noah Dingle)
The Sun reported that Jack Downham has been axed from the role of Noah Dingle, with an exit planned for later this year. A source said: 'Jack is such a lovely lad, and everyone adores him. He’s been on the show since he was a young child so it’s all he’s ever known. He was told of the news last month and his axing has once again sent shockwaves through the cast and crew. Everyone is wondering who will be next.'
