"It’s hard to put into words how much this show means to me."

Lucy Fallon has quit Coronation Street becoming the sixth star to officially do so this year. The actor, who has played Bethany Platt on the ITV soap for the past four years, announced the news this week. She said that although she has had "the most incredible" time on the show, she will be leaving to pursue other roles once her contract is up next year. "After the most incredible 4 years, I have made the extremely difficult decision to leave Coronation Street at the end of my contract in 2020," Fallon said in a statement. "It’s hard to put into words how much this show means to me. "I’ve made lifelong friends with some of the most talented and hardworking people in the industry, I’ve had some terrific and immensely important storylines and I’ve laughed with the best people everyday. I’m so thankful to Iain and everyone at Coronation Street, I owe everything to them and I will miss them greatly.” Fallon's exit comes after five of her other cast mates announced their own departures from the soap over the past few months. Faye Brookes, who plays Kate Connor, announced on Tuesday that she was "off to pastures new" after four years on the soap. And Tristan Gemmell, who plays Robert Preston, told his fans on April 26 that it was time to "hang up the chef's gear and head for pastures new." Connie Hyde, Kym Marsh and Bhavna Limbachia have all also announced they were leaving the cobbles in 2019. Coronation Street producer Iain Macleod told The Sun that Fallon informed the team of her decision to leave earlier this year. "She is an amazing performer and has been at the centre of some huge stories for us during her time on the show," he said. "I have no doubt that her stellar career will continue beyond the cobbles and would like to wish her all the best in whatever she does next - starting with the brilliant final chapter of Bethany’s story!”