Kate Ford, who plays Tracy Barlow on Coronation Street, has finally spoken up after her character seemed to leave the show. Fans are now pleading with her to reconsider her decision.
On Tuesday night’s episode, Tracy was seen saying farewell to her family, including her dad Ken and daughter Amy. After a round of goodbye drinks at The Rovers, she hugged her loved ones and left for sunny Spain, possibly forever.
The show hasn’t said what will happen to Tracy next, but there were hints that she might leave after being in Weatherfield for decades. Kate, who is 47 years old, started playing Tracy in 2002.
She did take a break but came back and has been on the show ever since.
In the most recent episode, Tracy leaves the street to start a new life in Spain with her boyfriend Tommy Orpington. Kate hasn’t said what will happen to her on the soap yet, but she did post a mysterious picture on Instagram.
It was a photo of a bus with “Orpington” on it, which seems to be a hint about Tracy’s new man, Tommy Orpington.
Meanwhile, Kate took a selfie and captioned it: “Rain, rain, rain”. The actress’s 118K Instagram followers were quick to react to the post, pleading for her not to leave Coronation Street.
One fan commented: “Please don’t leave Corrie,” accompanied by a heart emoji.
Another added: “Hoping last night’s episode was a late April Fool and you are not leaving,” while another expressed hope she’d return to the show, saying it wouldn’t be the same without her.
Her co-star Sally Carman, who plays Abi Webster on the soap, also chimed in, writing: “I miss your face!”
To this, Kate responded with: “Me yours love you,” along with a heart emoji.
Up until now, no spoilers about her character’s fate have been revealed, so her future on the show remains uncertain.
Fans were shocked by the news of Tracy’s possible exit and turned to Twitter for answers.
Some speculated that a hint lies in Tracy’s ownership of a flower shop, which could provide the means for a high-anticipated return if she does indeed leave the cobbles.
However, the shop is in good hands with co-worker Mary Taylor even during Tracy’s potential hiatus.
On Twitter, fans are buzzing with questions about the flower shop on Coronation Street. One viewer tweeted: “What’s gonna happen with the flower shop then? #corrie”, while another asked: “Tracy is just leaving her florist business? Does Mary own part of it then? #Corrie” and someone else pointed out: “So Tracy seems to have forgotten she owns a florist….#corrie.”
Catch Coronation Street on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 8 pm on ITV1 and ITVX.