Jane Danson has confirmed George Banks will depart ‘Coronation Street’.
The 39-year-old actress – who has played Leanne Battersby in the ITV soap since 1997 – took to Twitter to wish her co-star, who plays Henry Newton in the show, well, and hopes he will return to Weatherfield at some point.
She wrote on Twitter: "Wishing one of the loveliest actors i know @1GeorgeBanks lots of love and luck for the future ,a true gent and a fab actor! Hope you come back to the cobbles soon (sic)"
Jane’s on-screen sister Georgia Taylor (Toyah Battersby) also posted an emotional message about the outgoing ‘Corrie’ star, attached to a picture of her, Jane and George.
She wrote: "Two people I’d ALWAYS want on my team. Love ya @RealJaneDanson and our gorgeous @1GeorgeBanks xx (sic)"
George is to reprise his role as Henry soon when his character returns to try to win back Gemma Winter’s (Dolly Rose Campbell) affections, after previously dating her for a bet only to fall for the kebab shop worker, who was devastated about his arrangement.
And while he tries to win her back by vowing to buy her the Rovers Return pub, he doesn’t look set to stick around for too long if Jane and Georgia’s tweets are anything to go by.
This will be a huge blow to Gemma, who will set her sights on being the Rovers Return’s landlady in the coming weeks – and Dolly has admitted she was "chuffed to bits" when she found out it could be possibility.
She said: "Gemma from the Dog and Gun running the Rovers, no I would never in my wildest dreams think that could happen, even when I got the scripts where they were discussing it I didn’t believe it, I was chuffed to bits.
"Jack and Vera were my favourite landlord and landlady and no one would have ever though they could do it but they did."
However, Johnny Connor (Richard Hawley) looks set to take over the pub, and recent speculation has suggested he is planning to change the name of the iconic fictional boozer to The Roverz.
Jane Danson confirms George Banks’ Corrie departure
