A CORONATION Street star has left the cobbles after quitting the show 21 years after their first appeance.
The character made a rather low-key departure in tonight’s episode as they headed for pastures new.
Simon Barlow, played by Alex Bain, was axed from the soap late last year and now the character has waved goodbye to Weatherfield one last time.
His exit was overshadowed by many other major storylines in the ITV soap as well as his mum Leanne’s fall-out with Toyah and Nick.
Simon’s simplistic exit saw him say farewell to his family before hopping into the back of a taxi to head to the airport.
The youngster will be joining his father, Peter, abroad, after managing to land a job working alongside him on the boats overseas.
Earlier in the episode, Simon was left contemplating the fact that he may be quitting not only Weatherfield but the UK for good without having the chance to say goodbye to his mum.
Leanne had been away on a weeks-long trip with Rowan’s Institute in order to practise her ‘mindfulness’ amid her ongoing brainwashing storyline.
She had been due to return home the night before where Simon planned a sit down to bring her up to speed with her decision.
However, when she never made it back and with all contact cut during her time away, it appeared likely that he wouldn’t get the chance to see her again before he left.
When she did turn up, she was left stunned when Ken Barlow announced that Simon was leaving.
Leanne was left furious, especially when she found out that Toyah had been involved in the decision making.
She was left adamant that Toyah had pushed Simon to leave and insinuated it was punishment for her joining The Insitute.
Earlier this year, The Sun told how Simon actor Alex was gutted to have been booted from his role on the show.
The actor, 22, has told pals he is ‘gutted’ about being axed, revealing the decision was out of his control.
The Sun first told last year how Alex – who plays Simon Barlow – was leaving the ITV show after 15 years and he has now wrapped his final scenes.
An insider said: “Alex has been putting on a brave face saying he quit the show but in reality bosses decided it was time for him to move on.
“It’s been incredibly emotional for Alex and he really doesn’t want to leave at all.
“He’s been begging bosses to keep him in mind for the future. He wants to go back already.”
Coronation Street's shock exits 2024
Corrie has said goodbye to several cast members this year. Let's break down who's left the famous soap:
Eliza Woodrow (Savannah Kunyo) has said farewell to Corrie to start a new life in Germany.
The youngster moved to live with her dad Dom Everett, who went back on the £10,000 bribe Eliza’s grandfather Stu had offered to keep him out of her life.
Paul Foreman will bow out of the soap this summer when he loses his fight with motor neurone disease (MND) in tragic scenes.
After being diagnosed last year, the fan favourite, portrayed by Peter Ash, was devastated to learn he only had months left to live.
Viewers know he is planning to take his own life to end his suffering.
Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) departed the cobbles after being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to study in America.
Though she struggled to decide with her stepdad Paul’s impending death from MND, she was convinced she had to live her life to the full.
Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) has struggled with the sudden departure of his father Peter from the cobbles.
The Weatherfield legend left his family and loved ones behind on Boxing Day, 2023, when his wife Carla Connor encouraged him to travel around the world with a friend.
Simon’s been on a downward spiral ever since and his exit could end in tragedy.
Alya Nazir is set to leave the cobbles as actress Sair Khan prepares to go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her first child.
It looks likely she’ll be heading to Dublin after securing a lucrative new job, leaving her colleague and fling Adam Barlow behind.
Show stalwart Eileen Grimshaw is taking a break to star in the Sister Act The Musical UK tour.
She’s had to leave the Street immediately after her son Jason broke his back after falling off a moped in Asia. She will be back filming in May once her dates on the tour come to an end.