Julia Goulding is devastated as yet another Coronation Street co-star announces their departure. The cobbles have seen a wave of exits recently, with long-time cast members saying emotional goodbyes one after another.
It all started when Corrie legend Gail Platt bid farewell at Christmas, followed shortly by her granddaughter Bethany, as actress Lucy Fallon went on maternity leave. But the departures don’t stop there—Eileen Grimshaw, Craig Tinker, and Yasmeen Nazir are all set to exit soon. Adding to the growing list, Charlotte Jordan has revealed she’s leaving her role as Daisy Midgley to pursue new opportunities, much to the disappointment of fans.
Julia Goulding, who plays Shona Platt, is struggling with all the changes, admitting, “All my mates are going! Don’t even get me started on Charlie Jordan—I’m furious with her for leaving!” But of all the co-stars departing, there’s one person Julia says she’ll miss the most—Paddy Bever, who plays Max Turner.
Paddy reportedly informed Coronation Street bosses a while back about his decision to leave after three years in the role. During his time on the show, Max has been at the center of intense storylines, including his involvement with a far-right extremist group, serving time in prison, and most recently, facing more legal trouble after setting fire to Number 8. His relationship with Lauren Bolton and their hopes for a future together with baby Frankie now seem like a distant dream, especially as he faces sentencing and a potential deadly encounter with Harvey Gaskell. 
Paddy’s portrayal of troubled teen Max Turner has earned him widespread praise and accolades, making his departure even more heartbreaking for fans and co-stars alike. Julia opened up about how much she’ll miss him, saying, “I love Paddy so much! Honestly, I could be his mum—it’s ridiculous. He’s got such a bright future ahead of him, and I’d love to see him come back at some point. But I really don’t know where life will take him. It’s just really sad to see him go.”
Meanwhile, Julia’s character, Shona, is deeply concerned about Max’s fate. As viewers have seen, Max is awaiting sentencing, and the thought of him going back to prison is unbearable for her. “She’s terrified,” Julia shared. “He’s already been in prison once, and with her own biological son inside as well, the idea of losing someone else she loves so much is just heartbreaking.”
While Paddy’s exit is a huge loss, Julia does have something to look forward to—a new cast member joining the Corrie family. She’s especially thrilled about the arrival of Farrel Hegarty, who plays newcomer Lulu. “We’ve known each other for almost 20 years!” Julia revealed. “She went to drama school with my best friend in Manchester, and when I lived in London, we all became part of the same gang. It’s wonderful having her here!”
With so many beloved stars leaving, what does the future hold for Coronation Street? And will Max’s story come to a tragic end, or is there hope for his redemption? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe for more Corrie updates!
