Corrie's Emma Brooker star shares set snaps hours before sharing exit news as co-stars 'fuming'

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Alexandra Mardell has left many Coronation Street fans gutted as she revealed her plans to leave the soap.

The actress is best known for playing bubbly, pink-wearing Emma Brooker.

She made her debut in Weatherfield in 2018 as an apprentice hairdresser at Audrey Roberts' salon.

Emma has since become a barmaid at the Rovers and had a life-changing moment when she discovered her biological father is Steve McDonald.

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But after four years, Alexandra has made the decision to leave the cobbles.

In a statement, the 28-year-old said; "Playing Emma, on the most iconic street there is, has been the best experience of my life.

"Four years have gone so fast.

"Compared to other cast members, I still feel like a newbie, which makes my decision to leave all the more difficult. But I feel it’s the right time for me."

She added: "I can’t thank everyone at Coronation Street enough for welcoming me and trusting me to tell so many wonderful and heartfelt stories.

"And of course for the friendships. When I see pink, I will always think of Emma."

Hours before the announcement was made, Alexandra took to Instagram with a couple of behind-the-scene snaps.

The first showed a picture of her dressing room door slightly ajar to show a row of dressing tables with light adorned beauty mirror and a vase of pretty pink flowers.

The other was a selfie of her keeping warm in her big ITV Coronation Street puffa jacket.

When sharing the news of her exit, which will air in April, on Twitter, Alexandra prompted a response from her co-stars and Corrie fans.

Sally Ann Matthews, who plays Rovers landlady Jenny Connor, said: "I’m still fewmin Xxxxxxxx."

Julia