Coronation Street’s Claire King reveals she quit soap because she didn’t agree with scriptwriter’s changes to her ‘pinball’ character
The TV star has played Erica Holroyd for the past three years - and her exit will see her threatening fans' favourite Mary
CORONATION Street star Claire King has revealed she quit her role as feisty Erica Holroyd because she didn't agree with the changes scriptwriters made to her character.
The actress was originally signed up to the ITV programme for six weeks - yet this swiftly extended to three years as her "pinball character" saw sparks fly with both shop owner Dev Alahan and Kevin Webster.
In June, we reported how Claire announced she would leave the show over the summer to take on new challenges.
On today's Good Morning Britain the soap queen - who has also starred on Emmerdale - told presenters tweaks to her role prompted her to leave.
Claire, 54, told show hosts Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway: "I thought she was a natural character, and a natural Coronation Street character.
"And she then started changing a bit so...
"And she had no family, she was a bit of a pinball just moving about, so she changed a bit.
"I just thought right, this isn't the character that originally started."
The Bradford lass admitted she had ticked off two career goals while in Weatherfield - these being pulling a pint in the Rovers and taking a stroll on the cobbles.
A teaser clip showed Erica's final scenes, to be aired tomorrow, will be an explosive one.
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It comes after Claire’s character Erica had a passionate affair with Kevin Webster.
Kevin is in a serious relationship with Anna Windass, while Erica has been involved with Dev Alahan for over a year.
Tomorrow's show will see her confess her sheer "boredom" with her life with Dev to his close pal Mary.
She said: "It's not me, it's not the life I wanted."
When she takes her to task, Erica bluntly tells her: "If you don't like it, I will have to make sure you are not around to interfere."
Meanwhile Claire - who has a busy schedule with a role in pantomime coming up - hasn't ruled out a return to her first soap Emmerdale.
She confessed: "The door is not locked.
"But I never say never."
Claire revealed her show exit in June.
In a statement she said: “It’s been a dream come true to tread those famous cobbles. I was only meant to stay for six weeks initially, so for Erica to be so popular that she stayed for three years and even worked in The Rovers was a real compliment to me as an actress.
“I’ve had such a great time with the cast and crew, so it’s fabulous that they have left the door open for Erica to return in the future. Who knows what adventures she’ll be getting up to away from the Street? She’s certainly not boring.
“As for me, I’m ready for another challenge. I’m not leaving the screens anytime soon, so watch this space.”
- Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights on ITV
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