Julie Hesmondhalgh’s ‘Coronation Street’ colleagues were "cross" when she left the soap.
The 47-year-old actress quit the cobbles in January 2014, but the news of her departure after 16 years on the programme left a bad taste in the mouths of her co-stars and the production team because she had vowed to stay there for the long-running show’s 100th anniversary.
Speaking about the reaction to her exit, the star said: "A lot of people were cross with me when I left. I’d lost any thought of doing anything else, so leaving took me by surprise as much as anyone, really. I was really happy at ‘Coronation Street’. When new people started on the show, I’d say to them, ‘I’m Julie and I’ll be here for the 100th anniversary. I love it!’"
However, Julie – who is currently playing the role of sexual assault victim Trish in the third series of ‘Broadchurch’ – didn’t leave the ITV soap because she wanted to make the "big bucks" and, instead, just wanted to spread her wings and try different acting roles.
She explained: "’Corrie’ gave me an amazing leaving story, but I wasn’t looking for big buck or high-profile things afterwards. I was really happy just to be a jobbing actor, so I’ve been lucky with the things that have come my way."
Although Julie has starred in other shows since she left ‘Coronation Street’ three years ago, she is shocked to learn her neighbours are oblivious to her new projects as they don’t believe she has returned to the entertainment industry.
She told Inside Soap magazine: "But only yesterday, I was tweeted by someone asking what I’ve been doing. Even my neighbours have assumed I’m not acting any more. That does wound me."
Julie Hesmondhalgh upset Coronation Street cast by leaving the soap
