Faye Brookes shocked Coronation Street fans when she announced she'd quit playing Kate Connor after four years.
And now the soap starlet, 31, has defended her decision, explaining she is walking out as her contract comes to an end.
Faye, who is engaged to Gareth Gates, is one of seven Corrie stars to quit the cobbles so far this year.
She told The Sun : "It's the end of my contract. It’s come to an end. I want to go out on a high.
"I've had a lot of storylines to be fair. I’ve loved my four years. I’m really grateful to Corrie to leave it open ended because it means I can come back."
Faye announced she was leaving Corrie in April just after Kate's wife-to-be Rana (Bhavna Limbachia) was killed when the factory roof collapsed on top of her.
The actress tweeted: "Thanks to everyone for your amazing support, but after 4 fabulous years in Weatherfield it's time for me to explore new opportunities.
"I've loved playing Kate Connor, but she needs a break for a little while and so with a song in my heart I'm off to pastures new."
Her announcement came just four weeks after she said she wouldn't be leaving Coronation Street any time soon.
Faye told OK! magazine on April 1 that she loved her job and had plenty more to offer the role.
She insisted that Rana being killed off was the best way for that character to leave, "because there's no way she would ever have left without Kate".
"Death was the only realistic way for Bhavna to leave because I'm not going anywhere. I love my job and feel like I've only just begun to sink my teeth into Kate," Faye added.
