Coronation Street stalwart Helen Worth - who has played Gail Platt for the past 50 years - is to leave the ITV soap opera.
After she celebrates her golden anniversary on the show, she will step down at the end of the year following a "major storyline for the Platt family".
She will start filming her exit story next month and the emotional scenes will be on screen at the end of the year.
Worth said: "This year felt like the perfect time to leave the show after celebrating 50 years in the most wonderful job on the most wonderful street in the world.
"I made the decision at the start of the year and spoke to the producers who were very kind and understanding.
"I have been truly blessed to have been given the most incredible scripts week in week out, and to have worked with fantastic actors, directors and a brilliant crew.
"The past 50 years have flown by and I don't think the fact that I am leaving has quite sunk in yet."
The character was originally Gail Rodwell before becoming Potter, Tilsley, Platt, Hillman and McIntyre at various times during the following five decades in Weatherfield.
Gail first appeared on-screen on 29 July 1974. Gail is the daughter of Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls) and Ted Page (Michael Byrne) and is the mother of Nick Tilsley (Ben Price), Sarah Platt (Tina O'Brien) and David Platt (Jack P Shepherd).
She has featured in some of the most controversial and high-profile storylines in the soap involving her family and her number of relationships.
Gail is also the soap's most married female character, having been married six times (one fewer than Steve McDonald).
