Faye Brooks has become the fifth star to quit the Coronation Street in three months, sparking fears that the ITV soap is in the midst of a mass exodus.
Taking to Twitter earlier today, the actress wrote that she would be leaving the role of Kate Connor to "explore new opportunities".
She will be on screen until early Autumn.
This comes just a week after actor Tristan Gemmill, who plays Robert Preston, announced that he was leaving the cobbles .
The star also broke the news on Twitter and said that he would be making an exit later this year.
Coronation Street's Mary makes horrifying discovery about love of her life
In March, actress Connie Hyde, who starred as Sally Webster's sister Gina Seddon, revealed that she would be quitting . Her last scenes aired earlier this month.
Meanwhile Kym Marsh announced in February that she was leaving the soap after 13 years as Michelle Connor and said that she was keen to try something new.
In January, Bhavna Limbachia confirmed that she was leaving and that her character would be killed off in heartbreaking scenes.
Faye's sudden announcement will come as a surprise to many fans considering her very recent comments that she was "not done" with her character.
In an interview with OK! Magazine on April 1, Faye insisted that she was "not going anywhere" and that there were more storylines she wanted to "sink her teeth into".
Her character Kate was left heartbroken last month after her love interest Rana, played by Bhavna, perished in the factory collapse.
Bhavna previously said that she had wanted her character to be killed off because that was the only way she imagined Rana leaving Kate.
"I was trying to come up with a reason for why Rana would leave Kate," she said . "I was wracking my brains for a reason but she wouldn't.
"Their love is so pure the only reason they wold be together is if the decision was taken out of their arms."
A Corrie spokesperson told Mirror TV: "Faye is a very talented actress who has put her all into the portrayal of Kate Connor for the past three and a half years, we wish her every success for the future.
"She will be on screen until early Autumn and the door will be left open."
This comes as a new family are set to be introduced on the cobbles.
The Baileys will be introduced in early June, with their storyline initially centring on character James' coming out.
*Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm and 8.30pm on ITV
