Coronation Street star Mollie Gallagher has spoken out after she was seen bowing out of the long-running show as Nina Lucas after almost seven years. Nina, the niece of cobbles legend Roy Cropper, arrived on-screen in the ITV soap, which is filmed in Salford, when she was taken in by her uncle after her ill father, Richard Lucas, died.
A popular character and a major storyline
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 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. The exit didn't come as a surprise to fans, as it was recently announced that Mollie 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.
Emotional farewell scenes
Having invited her nearest and dearest to the Rovers for some leaving drinks, ahead of her departure, Nina was seen sitting at the memorial garden for her boyfriend Seb, where she was seen listening to the same song they used to listen to together.
Wanting to say goodbye, Seb's mum, Abi Webster, found Nina, and in an emotional moment between the two women, Nina tried to apologise for being the one who survived the attack that claimed Abi's son's life and not him. But Abi wasn't having it, and Nina went on to promise to never forget Seb, as she and Abi said a tearful farewell.
Mollie's tribute and fan support
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".
An exit video featuring Mollie was also shared on Corrie's Instagram page, in which she thanked fans for their support over the years, before admitting it was a 'see you later' rather than a 'goodbye'. And they were quick to flood with messages of love and luck as she heads on her new career adventure.
@mattfrompembs said: "@mollie.gallagher_ you've been incredible, a joy to watch... Hope this isn't a long goodbye and you return." @leszczyszak_helen commented: "Good luck. you will be missed." @nigel.a.marshall wrote: "I'll miss Nina, you've been fantastic in Corrie and I'm sure you'll be just as amazing in your future projects, loads of luck for what comes next."
@karen.macintyre posted: "I hope we do see you later. I have loved your storylines. You are. Best of luck moving forward." @xjeankellyx shared: "Goodbye Nina. Wishing Mollie the very best of good luck in the future. Hopefully we will see you one day in the future back on the cobbles." @frankhamjoanne8 added: "Aw will so miss Nina. Loved her beautiful unique character and Mollie Gallagher played her brilliantly."
