Mollie Gallagher has officially left Coronation Street, with her character Nina Lucas departing Weatherfield for a fresh start in Whitby. The actress is moving on to play Clarice Starling in the theatre adaptation of The Silence of the Lambs.
In the show, Nina decided she needed a new challenge and accepted a job at an art gallery in Whitby. After saying goodbye to her loved ones, she got into her uncle Roy Cropper's car and headed off, with Roy played by David Neilson.
Emotional farewell video
Coronation Street's official Instagram account shared a video of Mollie bidding an emotional goodbye to the cobbles, with clips of her time on the show playing in the background. In the video, Mollie said: 'Hi guys, I just wanted to come on and say thank you so much for all of your support over the last few years.'
'As a local working class girl from Salford, Coronation Street has always been a huge part of my life and I'm just so blessed for the opportunity to be part of this amazing show.'
The video then showed a moment between Nina and Abi Webster, played by Sally Carman, the mother of her murdered ex-boyfriend Seb Franklin. Mollie added: 'Thank you all so much, and it's not a goodbye, just a see you later. Thank you.'
Co-stars send support
Mollie also posted her own message on Instagram, featuring a shot of Nina taking a last look at the street from inside Roy's car. She wrote: 'Nina and Corrie you have been a dream.'
'I stepped foot on to the cobbles almost 7 years ago and what a time it has been! 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. Stay weird.'
A number of Mollie's co-stars shared loving messages. Tanisha Gorey, who plays Asha Alahan, said: 'Always the Nina to my Asha'. Beth Nixon, who played Megan Walsh, wrote: 'So so proud of you and everything you have achieved, I've only known you for a short time but I know that you deserve every opportunity and happiness in the world'. Elle Mulvaney, who plays Amy Barlow, said: 'we miss u already mol', while former Max Turner actor Paddy Bever added: 'No way! Congrats lovely' and Adam Hussein, who played Aadi Alahan, said: 'Wishing you all the best mollie!'
Fans react
Fans flooded the comment section with tributes. One wrote: 'Stay Weird! Thank you Mollie so much for everything you have done in this role for helping to de stigmatise the goth community, the storyline based on Sophie Lancaster was harrowing and you've handled it with such care.'
Another said: 'Hopefully we do see you come back! Nina Lucas Is my Top Favourite Character Ever! Stay Weird! Always AND Forever!' A third commented: 'So sad to see you go! I loved Nina from the second she appeared! You portrayed her beautifully and I absolutely adored the relationship between Roy & Nina! You are going to be missed but I wish you all the way from Canada, much success and happiness in your future!'
One fan had a simple request: 'They better let you pop back to see Roy'.
