Coronation Street cast: who is leaving, returning to and joining the soap?

Your essential guide to the comings and goings on the cobbles.

By Johnathon Hughes

Published: Wednesday, 15 December 2021 at 12:00 am

With twists, turns and surprises always round the corner on the soaps it can be hard to keep track of all the comings and goings in the cast of Coronation Street.

RadioTimes.com is here with a handy update on which characters are leaving, joining and returning to the cobbles of Coronation Street in the coming months.

So who’s in? Who’s out? And which rumours are true? Read on for all latest details on cast changes.

LEAVING

Grace Vickers (Kate Spencer)

Spiky Grace left Weatherfield after giving Aggie and Ed Bailey custody of her daughter Glory, admitting she never wanted a baby and felt trapped by motherhood. Can Michael cope as a suddenly single father? And will Grace live to regret her decision to return one day? Don’t hold your breath!

Hashim Elamin (Vincent Ebrahim)

Zeedan Nazir was being blackmailed by his gangster father-in-law and forced to launder money through the family business, then horrid Hashim died of a heart attack during a heated confrontation. But is this really the end of Zee’s worries? The character’s demise marks the end of Ebrahim’s guest stint, who was best known for his role in comedy The Kumars at No.42.

RETURNING

Jacob Hay (Jack James Ryan)

Tearaway Jacob played a big part in the county lines story in early 2021 that saw Simon Barlow and Leanne Battersby lured into the dangerous world of drug dealer Harvey Gaskell, and the character reappeared in November 2021 as part of a gang taunting homeless Kelly. Ryan recently posted a pic of him on set with real-life sister Rebecca Ryan (joining as Lydia Chambers), suggesting this isn’t the last viewers have seen of his alter ego.

Leo Thompkins (Joe Frost)

Jenny Connor’s toy boy lover was a big part of super soap week back in October, and he’s back on screen over the festive season hoping to add spice up the lonely landlady’s Christmas, but can she put Johnny’s death behind her and find happiness with the buff builder? Could Leo become a regular in 2022 if the age-gap romance hots up?

Roy Cropper (David Neilson)

Unable to cope with the guilt of the part he played in Natasha’s death, principled Roy fled the cobbles in shame to South America and vowed never to return. Surely this isn’t the end of the Street stalwart? The show, and Neilson, have avoided confirming if Roy will return, with the actor ambiguously telling Inside Soap: “I know Roy leaving will get a big reaction, he’s a part of popular culture and will be remembered for a long while.” Surely this can’t be the end of the café owner…?

Danny Tomlinson (Dylan Brady)

Chef Danny found love with footballer James Bailey, but when he got a job offer he couldn’t refuse down south he swapped Weatherfield for London. The boys’ romance is now long distance which means Danny has gone for the moment and is classed as a returning character, so he’ll probably be popping in from time to time. Does that mean a new, more local love interest is being lined up for James?

Sharon Bentley (Tracie Bennett)

Rita Tanner’s former foster daughter made an explosive return in 2021 on a secret mission for her drug dealer nephew Harvey to take revenge on Leanne Battersby and Simon Barlow. The bad girl bowed out in June after betraying Harvey and getting him banged up, then took over his narcotics network. Bennett, who first appeared back in 1982, has hinted heavily that her chaotic character could return in the not-too-distant future and the door has been left open, so watch this space.

Sophie Webster (Brooke Vincent)

Sally’s little girl is off travelling to accommodate Vincent’s real-life maternity leave (she gave birth to a son in October 2019, and welcomed another little boy in May 2021). She’s expected to return at some point but there’s no official word yet. Screen mum Sally Dynevor had hoped Soph would be back for her alter ego’s wedding to Tim Metcalfe and while that did not happen, we’re sure there will be reasons for her to come back this year.