Tina O'Brien to quit Coronation Street

Coronation Street star Tina O’Brien is quitting the soap, it was confirmed today.

O’Brien, 23, plays single mum Sarah Louise Platt.

“This has been an extremely difficult decision to make,” she said.

“I love playing Sarah and have had an amazing seven-and-a-half years in Coronation Street.

“But I feel that the time has come to see what else is out there for me as an actress.”

She will leave the ITV1 show in November.

Bosses have promised her a blockbuster exit but it is believed the scriptwriters will not kill her off – leaving the door open for a possible return.

Producer Steve Frost said they were planning a “dramatic and fitting departure” for the character.

“Tina is a fabulous actress and we will be sorry to see her go. However, we fully understand her ambition and desire to play other roles,” he said.

O’Brien joined the soap in 2000 and was at the centre of one of its most controversial storylines when Sarah became pregnant at 13 – much to the horror of mum Gail.

She became a gymslip mum to daughter Bethany.

Sarah survived a canal plunge at the hands of evil Richard Hillman and was jilted at the altar by boyfriend Jason Grimshaw.

Grimshaw is played by actor Ryan Thomas – O’Brien’s real-life love.