Coronation Street's Tracy Barlow actress Kate Ford has taken to social media after her iconic character appeared to exit the cobbles on Tuesday night.
During the latest episode, Tracy was seen saying her goodbyes to her relatives including dad Ken Barlow and daughter Amy Barlow. Having leaving drinks at The Rovers, she then hugged it out with her nearest and dearest and left the cobbles for sunny Spain, seemingly for good.
Amid her soap future not being revealed, spoilers had teased an exit was on the cards after 47 years of the character being in Weatherfield. Kate, 47, took on the role in 2002, and while she did spend some time away she soon returned and has been there ever since.
With the latest episode seeing Tracy leave the street to start a new life with lover Tommy Orpington in Spain, actress Kate, who has yet to confirm her soap future, took to Instagram to post a cryptic snap on her Story. Kate shared a snap of public transport, which had the destination of "Orpington" on the front, in an apparent nod to her character Tracy's new love interest Tommy Orpington.
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@realkate1/Instagram)Image:
@realkate1/Instagram)Elsewhere, Kate also shared a selfie, titled: "Rain, rain, rain" to which the star's 118K followers were quick to comment, begging her to change her mind and hoping Tracy hadn't actually left. One person said: "Please don’t leave Corrie" with a heart emoji, a different account put: "Hoping last night’s episode was a late April Fool and you are not leaving" while a different account added: "Here’s hoping you make a return to the street. Won’t be the same without you! X."
Kate's co-star Sally Carman, who plays Abi Webster, also commented, writing: "I miss your face!" with heart emojis to which Kate replied with: "me yours love you" with a heart emoji. It comes as no spoilers have been released about the character so it's not known if or when she will be back on the show.
Viewers have been left stunned over Tracy's bombshell and questioning whether the character will actually leave. Taking to Twitter, now X, some fans think they have figured out Tracy's future thanks to a clue. Soap watchers pointed out that Tracy has her flower shop business, which could play a part in her returning in the future if she does actually leave the cobbles. However, the shop will be in safe hands during her absence thanks to co-worker Mary Taylor.
Taking to Twitter, now X, one person said: "What’s gonna happen with the flower shop then? #corrie", a different account put: "Tracy is just leaving her florist business? Does Mary own part of it then? #Corrie" while another added: "So Tracy seems to have forgotten she owns a florist….#corrie."
Coronation Street airs every Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITV X.* Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads.