Coronation Street fan favourite quits the cobbles after 11 years

Coronation Street star Shelley King is leaving the cobbles after an 11-year stint on the soap, it has been revealed. 

The actress, 65, has portrayed fan favourite character Yasmeen Metcalfe on the soap since 2014.

But it has been reported that Shelley has decided to leave her role on the soap to explore other projects.

Shelley is said to have approached producers in early 2024 to share her desire to leave the show after 10 years of playing the same character - and she filmed her finals scenes in December. 

Her exit marks the sixth cast departure in just two months, after several other cast members also announced they were either quitting or had been written out.

Speaking to The Sun, a show source said: 'Shelley spoke to producers early last year and advised that after 10 years on the show and being involved in many major storylines during the past decade she had decided the time has come for her to explore other opportunities.

'Shelley is an accomplished stage and television actress and we fully understand her desire to take her career in another direction after 10 years playing the same role.

'She filmed her final scenes in December.'

It appears the ITV soap is in trouble due to an alleged cash crisis and a revolt from the cast over poor working conditions and low salaries. 

Since November, Charlotte Jordan, Sue Cleaver, Sue Devaney, Colson Smith, and Luca Toolan — have all announced they will be leaving the show. 

Other actors have reportedly vented their fury on a WhatsApp group over fears they could be next. 

According to The Sun, Thursday's 9pm to 10pm episode was watched by 2.5 million people - just ten percent of the 27million who watched Hilda Ogden's farewell in its 1987 heyday. 

The episode was moved from its usual Friday slot and time so the network could show the FA Cup clash between Aston Villa and West Ham. 

As a result, Coronation Street was pitted against BBC's reality game show The Traitors which pulled in five million viewers. 

The show's low ratings meant it lost its most-watched soap crown to Emmerdale with 3.5 million, while BBC's EastEnders pulled in 2.8 million viewers.

This also means The Street fell out of the top ten most watched shows of the day - which last happened on Christmas Day, which saw Helen Worth's goodbye after starring as Gail Platt for 50 years. 

A source told The Sun: 'Coronation Street used to be the jewel in ITV's crown. Now there's a despondency among actors.' 

A spokesperson for the show hit back: 'Thursday night at 9pm is not our usual transmission pattern. It also does not take into account ITVX viewers.' 

'Monday's knife-crime episode peaked at 3.9million which, when consolidated, will be in keeping with 2024's average of 4.4million, making it the most-watched soap on TV.' 

It comes as some of the show's mid-ranking actors and younger stars are said to be worried they'll be axed in a bid to save money. 

Some of the younger stars are said to fear they'll be written off the show in order to keep established stars like Bill Roache and Jack P. Shepherd on board.

A source said: 'There's a WhatsApp group which has been pinging with messages about concerns of where the axe will fall next.'

'It's a tough time on the soap and it's filtering down. There is a feeling more people will be cut to save money and to keep the best-paid stars like Bill Roache and Jack P Shepherd on board.'

The insider added that cast members have also complained about the long working hours. 

They added: 'Filming is tough. One person moaned they were 'worked like dogs'. The days of bumper pay are gone.'

MailOnline contacted representatives of Coronation Street for comment at the time.