Corrie star heading for exit

Long-serving Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh is leaving the soap after 15 years as TV favourite Hayley Cropper.

The Lancashire-born actress, 42, admitted she has had “the most wonderful time” playing the Street’s first transsexual on the ITV1 show, but wanted to pursue new projects after starring in the play, Black Roses: The Killing Of Sophie Lancaster at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester last year.