Michelle Keegan at National Television Awards
Michelle Keegan is hoping she'll follow in Julie Hesmondhalgh's footsteps and leave Coronation Street with a band.
The 26-year-old beauty - who plays barmaid Tina McIntyre in the ITV soap - admits she is nervous about her own exit from the show later this year after soap veteran Julie's character Hayley Cropper received a "beautiful" send-off.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz on the red carpet at the National Television Awards in London last night (22.01.14), she said: "I think how they shot it and how they've written it is absolutely beautiful. They couldn't have done it in any other way. It was so raw. Fingers crossed; hopefully I'll leave with a bang."
Michelle - who was nominated for Serial Drama Performance, which was won by Julie - also revealed she is still heartbroken days after Hayley's dramatic final scenes, which saw her end her life following a battle with inoperable pancreatic cancer, aired on Monday (20.01.14).
She said: "My heart's still broken since Monday. I can't believe that she's gone. Jules thoroughly deserves it, she really does."
Meanwhile, the soap star says she is not impressed with Tina's actions of late, such as her affair with Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne).
Michelle explained: "She's turned naughty! When they told me about it I was like, 'No, this can't happen!' But I keep saying to myself maybe it's because she's young, she's naïve, she's been hurt ... maybe that's why she's being a bit naughty. I don't think it's a good thing, though."
Tagged in Michelle Keegan Tina McIntyre Julie Hesmondhalgh