THE future of a Coronation Street character has been revealed after her entire onscreen family has been axed in the soap’s ongoing cast cull.
Actress Harriett Bibby plays the role of Summer Spellman on the ITV soap opera but fans were left fearing she could be next to face the chop when it was revealed her on-screen dad, Billy Mayhew, would be leaving just months after her other on-screen father, Paul Foreman, was killed off.
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The news of Billy actor Daniel Brocklebank‘s impending departure cast doubt on whether Summer would remain on the show as she would no longer have any family left in Weatherfield.
Now, The Sun can exclusively reveal that Summer will be remaining on the cobbles with soap chiefs rushing to sign actress Harriet up on another contract amid the rampant departures.
The 27-year-old has been handed another brand new 12-month deal to keep her on the programme well into 2026.
A source told The Sun: “Harriet is a real asset to the show and extremely well liked.
“There is a big story coming up later this month with Harriet and the other younger cast at the centre of it which will have repercussions for many of the residents.”
Summer has proved a real fan favourite on the programme and so it was a no-brainer for bosses to lock her down and keep her on the nation’s favourite street.
The Sun first told earlier this week how Coronation Street had lined up a game-changing plot that will focus solely on the programme’s younger characters.
Sydney Martin and Cait Fitton, who play Betsy and Lauren, told The Sun at the British Soap Awards about the scenes which will see the Corrie teens banding together.
Actress Cait said: “There is gonna be something quite different in the near-near future where we see all the younger cast come together.
“We really enjoyed that because nine times out of ten you don’t really get to see people unless you are working with them.
“Working with people our own age has been so much fun.
“It was two weeks of us non-stop altogether.”
Summer is expected to appear in the scenes which will have repercussions for months to come
She is also expected to play a part in the exit of her on-screen dad, vicar Billy, who will exit as part of an issue-based storyline when his contract was not renewed after 11 years on the show.
It is understood his departure was one solely made by Corrie bosses as ‘a story-based decision.’
Confirming his exit, Daniel said: “I have been working on Corrie for a quarter of my life.
“I have adored every minute I have been in that building and have never not looked forward to going into work.
“I love everyone who works on this show and whilst I am sad to be going, I am equally excited to see what the future holds.”
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