Hayley Tamaddon, who plays Andrea Beckett on Coronation Street, is set to leave the soap in a dramatic plot, ITV has confirmed. The actress will make her exit in September during a live episode as part of the network's 60th anniversary celebrations.
Tamaddon, 38, joined the show in 2013 as a night school friend of Steve McDonald. She said: 'I came into Corrie for three months and have stayed for two years. I will be so sad to leave, I have had the best two years of my life here.' She described the soap as 'one big family' and said she has 'made some incredible friends'.
Coronation Street producer Stuart Blackburn praised Tamaddon, saying: 'Hayley has brought real magic to the Corrie cobbles - funny, energetic, totally professional and a joy to be around as a friend and colleague alike, she'll be sorely missed.'
Meanwhile, Take Me Out host Paddy McGuinness has signed up for a guest role, playing survival enthusiast Dougie Ryan for six episodes over the summer. McGuinness, 41, will appear as a wilderness explorer who meets the Tinker and Dobbs families on a camping holiday.
McGuinness said: 'Being asked to appear in Coronation Street was a very special moment for me. An iconic and much-loved show not just in the UK but around the world. The character I'll be playing is very funny and I'm sure the Corrie fans will love him.' He will start filming next month, with episodes due to air in August.
