Coronation Street star Debbie Rush is to depart the ITV soap after nine years playing Anna Windass and has said "the decision to leave was not made lightly".
British tabloid The Sun, which first reported Rush's departure, says she will film her final Coronation Street scenes later this year, which will air early in 2018.
After an "amazing nine years" with "brilliant storylines", Rush said she was keen to see how Anna's Weatherfield departure will play out.
"I love playing Anna and will miss working with the fantastic cast and crew," she said.
"I don't know what the future holds but I am excited to explore what other acting opportunities are out there."
"Debbie decided she wanted a new challenge," a show source told the paper.
"So when it came to signing her new one-year deal she told show boss Kate Oates - and Kieran Roberts, the show's exec producer - she would be leaving once that was up.
"They completely understood and despite wanting her to stay, gave her their blessing to move on."
"Debbie wanted to give them loads of time to think of a great way to see Anna leave the cobbles," the source added.
Since Rush first appeared on the cobbles as Anna in November 2008 she has been involved in a number of major storylines including being blackmailed for sex by villain Pat Phelan; dealing with her daughter Faye's underage pregnancy and surviving an explosion.
