Julie Hesmondhalgh has revealed she has no regrets about leaving Coronation Street.
The actress played Hayley Cropper on the ITV soap for 16 years before the character took her own life in 2014 following a terminal cancer diagnosis.
Speaking recently, Julie explained that she left Coronation Street to "do other things" and said she has had a "rich and successful career" ever since — so has no regrets about leaving.
She also revealed she's still a big fan of the soap and watches it "religiously" but knew "Hayley would have to die" because she'd never split from Roy Cropper.
Related: Julie Hesmondhalgh explains her choice to play unconventional characters with gritty storylines
"I wanted to do other things, and I have," she told Entertainment Daily.
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"I’ve had a really rich and successful career post-Corrie, in theatre, in telly, in film, in radio and so I have moved forward in my life, in that way."
She added: "I love that programme. I still watch it. My husband [Ian Kershaw] is a writer on it. I watch it religiously, I absolutely love it, but my time on it has definitely ended."
Related: Coronation Street's Mary Taylor fears Pat Phelan return in new scenes
Since leaving Coronation Street, Julie has taken on grittier roles in the second season of Broadchurch, BBC autism drama The A Word and Channel 4's Cucumber.
Earlier this year, she revealed why she would turn down the role of Hayley Cropper if it were offered to her today.
Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays on ITV.
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