Coronation Street fans were taken aback by a major change to the ITV soap.
In February, it was announced Corrie would end its partnership with Comparethemarket.com in November.
This included sponsorship for broadcast, online, mobile and licensing elements, as well as Corrie’s 60th anniversary towards the end of the year.
But when adverts featuring Aleksandr Orlov, a CGI anthropomorphic Russian meerkat and his family and friends disappeared, fans were shocked.
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Brett tweeted: "That’s the Meerkat’s sponsorship deal over then."
A second said: "Still adjusting to #Corrie not having a sponsor."
Andy asked: "No meerkats?"
And Tavern said: "No meerkats!"
Simon Daglish, ITV’s Deputy Managing Director for Commercial, said in February: “Comparethemarket.com and Corrie has been one of the UK’s longest-running and most successful partnerships and I would personally like to say a huge thank you to all at Compare the Market for taking a big idea and turning it into an iconic partnership.
"But, like all good things it has to come to an end... As we approach the 60th birthday of a British institution we are looking for an ambitious brand to connect with the cultural phenomena that is Coronation Street.”
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Comparethemarket.com was Corrie's third-ever sponsor.
Prior to Comparethemarket.com, Harveys sponsored the ITV programme for five years.
