Actress Rula Lenska has quit Coronation Street after two years on the ITV soap.
The move comes after her on-screen character Claudia Colby split with Ken Barlow.
Rula, 72, has played hairdresser Claudia on and off since 2009.
However, she returned full-time in 2018 and quickly moved in with Ken.
The hairdresser bought Audrey’s Salon before moving in with Ken and convincing him to sell up on the cobbles and move to luxury retirement home Stillwaters.
Claudia Colby star Rula Lenska has quit Coronation Street after two years on the ITV soap (Image: ITV)
But in last night’s episode, viewers saw Ken was uncomfortable living away from the cobbles and ended his relationship with Claudia.
He was then seen arriving back at Coronation Street as he said he was moving back home.
Rula has now reportedly quit the soap, but according to insiders, the ‘door has been left open’.
Talking about Rula’s departure, a source told The Sun: “The door is definitely open for Rula to return and Claudia still has connections on the street.
Claudia and Ken Barlow were seen splitting up on the show last night (Image: ITV)
“But for now Claudia’s life is on the veranda of Stillwaters and Ken belongs in his backstreet boozer.”
Daily Star Online has contacted a Coronation Street rep for comment.
Claudia and Ken had an emotional farewell last night as he packed his bags to move back to Coronation Street.
She told him: “You’re really going after all I’ve done for you and your family.”
A guilty Ken said: “I’ll reimburse you for the cost of Peter’s rehabilitation programme and I’ll make sure you’re not out of pocket for this place.”
Ken was seen moving back to Coronation Street after the split (Image: ITV)
She joked: “Is there someone else? June the merry widow on the second floor? I don’t think she’s partially sighted at all.
“My next fella’s going to be a toy boy. I thought it was going to be you, I thought this was going to be our life.
“Well I suppose the writing has been on the wall for some time I just didn’t want to see it.
Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings at 7.30pm on ITV
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
