Former EastEnder Michelle Collins to exit Coronation Street next year

Scriptwriters planning 'a memorable departure' for Rovers Return landlady Stella Price

Michelle Collins on This Morning (Rex Features)

Michelle Collins described playing the landlady of the famous Coronation Street pub the Rovers Return "as a revelation".

The actor, who has played Stella Price for two-and-a-half years, has confirmed she is due to leave the show next summer.

Coronation Street producer Stuart Blackburn has said scriptwriters are planning a memorable exit for the character and her final scenes are expected to be aired in June 2014.

Collins, 51, who previously starred in EastEnders, also commented: “Creatively I need to play other roles.”

Blackburn wished Collins "every happiness" as she moved away from the ITV1 soap.

He said her departure presented a tremendous opportunity for his scriptwriters.

“When an actor decides to leave a programme like Corrie, it means the writing team can creatively scale new heights. We promise the tour that is Stella Price will leave with a bang.”

Collins' character Stella has had some dramatic storylines during her two years on the show, including reuniting with her estranged daughter.

Scriptwriters have promised Collins’ exit will ‘devastate’ her family.

Collins is not the only star leaving the popular show.

Earlier this weekChris Fountain was axed from the soap after the actor was exposed as the author of offensive rap lyrics, writing under the name of The Phantom.

Additionally, Sue Johnston has also said she will be leaving, along with Michelle Keegan. Keegan will leave the show after six years playing Tina McIntyre.