Coronation Street fans fear icon has quit 24 years after debut as they spot cryptic clue

A Coronation Street favourite has left fans fretting they're departing after dropping a mysterious hint.

The ITV drama has seen major cast shake-ups in recent months - with 2025 witnessing numerous departures unfold. Max Turner (Paddy Bever) was locked up for six years, whilst Craig Tinker (Colson Smith) was savagely written out after 14 years.

Additionally, soap icon Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver) departed the Street after 25 years, jetting off thousands of miles to Thailand.

READ MORE: Good Morning Britain sparks backlash as fans threaten to report ITV show hosts to Ofcom

READ MORE: Award-winning BBC drama with Sheridan Smith coming to Netflix after 15 years

Yet more transformations lie ahead, as May brought news that Billy Mayhew star Daniel Brocklebank - who arrived on the programme in 2014 - had been given the chop.

Now supporters worry another performer might be departing after spotting a telling sign. Lately, Todd Grimshaw star Gareth Pierce shared images of his professional portrait on social media, reports the Daily Star.

His admirers were swift to read this as evidence the actor is considering fresh opportunities. Performers commonly refresh their headshots when seeking different roles.

Devotees rapidly concluded Gareth might be gearing up to abandon the cobbles. One anxious fan penned: "I hope this doesn't mean you are leaving Corrie."

Another commented: "Literally just came to ask this... Hope not! !" A third remarked: "Please don't be leaving!".

Gareth initially arrived on the programme in 2020 as Todd, replacing Bruno Langley who portrayed the role from 2001 to 2017. Currently, he's embroiled in a distressing new plot involving Todd's latest love interest, Theo (played by James Cartwright).

The duo sparked a romance earlier this year, but the situation has recently taken a dramatic twist. Clearly grappling with personal issues, Theo has begun to abuse Todd.

Discussing the new abuse storyline, Gareth Pierce, who portrays Todd, recently admitted his concern for his character. He revealed: "Because Todd's constantly calibrating what is normal and what is acceptable in the relationship.

"So very slowly things that are already crossing the line, that are already massive red flags are becoming slowly acceptable. That's only going to get worse now at the point where it's become physical and Todd is still able to convince himself that this is somehow fixable rather than a situation that he needs to walk away from."

Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX