Coronation Street is undergoing a major shake-up as several beloved cast members prepare to leave. Among those saying goodbye are Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver), Craig Tinker (Colson Smith), Yasmeen Nazir (Shelley King), and Charlotte Jordan, who plays Daisy Midgeley. These departures follow the emotional exit of Helen Worth as Gail Platt during the Christmas episodes, along with Lucy Fallon’s temporary departure as Bethany Platt.
Julia Goulding, who plays Shona Platt, is feeling the impact of these exits more than most. As her co-stars leave one by one, she has spoken out about the emotional toll it’s taking on her.
Julia Goulding’s Heartfelt Farewell to Paddy Bever
While Julia has expressed her disappointment over many departures, one loss has hit particularly hard—Paddy Bever, who plays her on-screen stepson Max Turner. After three years in the role, Paddy has decided to leave the show, marking the end of a gripping storyline for Max.
Max Turner has been at the center of several dramatic storylines, including his involvement with a far-right extremist group, time in prison, and his troubled romance with Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton). Now, with another prison sentence looming and a dangerous confrontation with Harvey Gaskell (Will Mellor) on the horizon, his future in Weatherfield looks uncertain.
Julia admitted she is devastated to see Paddy go. “I love Paddy so much. I mean, I could actually be his mother, it’s ridiculous!” she joked. She thinks he has got a bright future ahead of him. “I would love to see him come back at some point, but I don’t know. I don’t know where his life is going to take him. It’s really sad, really sad to lose him.”
She also reflected on Shona’s perspective, saying, “I think she’s terrified, because obviously, Max has just been to prison. And her own biological son is already inside. To have somebody she loves so much going down as well—it’s probably unbearable for her to think about.”
A New Face Joins Coronation Street
Despite the departures, there’s some comfort for Julia in the arrival of Farrell Hegarty, who plays newcomer Lou Michaelis. Julia shared that they have a long-standing friendship, revealing, “We’ve known each other for nearly 20 years. She went to drama school with my best friend from Manchester, and we were just a big gang in London. It’s wonderful having her here.”
While Paddy Bever’s exit will leave a noticeable gap, Julia is hopeful for the future of the show. As Coronation Street continues to evolve, she remains optimistic about what’s next for her character and the ever-changing streets of Weatherfield.
With so many exits shaking up the show, fans are left wondering how the departures will impact future storylines. Will Max Turner return one day? And how will Shona cope with losing yet another loved one? Only time will tell. Stay tuned to TV Season & Spoilers for more updates on Coronation Street and the big cast changes and upcoming twists!