Coronation Street viewers were outraged when it was revealed on Wednesday night that Liz McDonald had exited the soap with no storyline.
The well-loved character played by Beverley Callard, 63, had been promised to go out with a bang when it was announced she was leaving.
But the anticlimactic scene simply showed another character saying she had gone to Spain, with no final scene or parting shot.
It comes as the older members of the Corrie cast have not been filming recently due to the coronavirus pandemic.
(Image: FilmMagic)
Liz, who was a character on the soap for 31 years, had her dull exit explained on Wednesday by Leanne Battersby (Jane Danson).
She told Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson): “I don’t suppose it helps that your mum’s in Spain either.”
Steve replied: “No, but I get why she had to get out of here, but yeah, one less person to talk to I suppose.”
Fans were disappointed she was not given a more exciting farewell or exit scene, with one tweeting: ” #Corrie have confirmed that Beverley Callard has left even though we never saw Liz leave the street!
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“Gutted at this. Bev/Liz deserved a proper exit!”
Another added: “Pity she could not have briefly reprised the role to get a proper exit.”
“What’s the storyline with Liz Macdonald in #corrie I must have missed something,” wondered a third.
” @mr_sjpatterson has Liz McDonald left #Corrie for Spain??? Did they not film any final scenes??” demanded a fourth.
(Image: UK Press via Getty Images)
In 2019, Corrie boss Iain McLeod teased at a dramatic finale for Liz’s role, making her off-screen exit all the more underwhelming.
He said: “Liz’s departure is a long way off yet, but we want it to be big, heroic and befitting of the character.
“She’s a tough woman, is Liz McDonald, so we want to reflect that.
“The idea – which is still in its embryonic stages – is that Liz attempts to do something heroic for her son as a result of this story I’m hinting at for Steve and Tracy.
“Her efforts probably go slightly wrong in a way that will corrupt her relationship with Steve, and ultimately determine that the best place for her is not in Weatherfield”.
* Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm on ITV
