Kym Marsh had "no idea" Catherine Tyldesley was quitting 'Coronation Street'.
Kym Marsh
The 41-year-old actress, who plays Michelle Connor in the soap, was stunned last week when her co-star announced she was leaving her role of Eva Price after seven years on the cobbles because her friend had given no indication she was ready to move on.
She said: "Catherine Tyldesley has quit 'Coronation Street' and I was very sad to hear it. I had no idea she was planning to leave.
"Eva Price is such a fun character and Cath has been wonderful part of the show over the last seven years, so there will be a big hole left she goes."
Kym is bracing herself for big changes on the show as Catherine's departure comes shortly after Shayne Ward, who plays Aidan Connor, announced he is also exiting Weatherfield.
She added to OK! magazine: "It feels like a lot of people are leaving at the minute, after Shayne Ward also announced that he's going. But that's the nature of our job, people come and go all the time.
"I wish Cath all the luck in the world with whatever she's planning next."
Meanwhile, the whole cast has had a busy few weeks filming because they are preparing for a long festive break.
She said: "Work has been very busy recently. We're gearing up for a few weeks off so it's been all hands on deck to make sure we pull ahead.
"It's going to be a big Christmas for the Connor family so I'm looking forward to you seeing it."
But that doesn't mean they don't have time for fun too.
She said: "It's our Christmas party this week - we've booked out a venue in Manchester. It's always a lot of fun when the cast and crew get together."
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