Coronation Street's Alexandra Mardell explains why she quit soap

Coronation Street spoilers follow.

Coronation Street star Alexandra Mardell has been reflecting on her time on the soap, after playing Emma Brooker for four years.

Alexandra's final scenes as Emma will air next week, with things finally coming to a head for the character over Ted Spear's death.

Speaking to Digital Spy and other media ahead of her exit from the cobbles Alexandra, who was initially contracted to the soap for just six months, described being on Corrie as a "career goal".

ITV

"Being on Corrie was always a career goal that I really wanted to do, so the fact that I was lucky enough to have that opportunity and be on Corrie is just ridiculous, it's still so surreal and I'm forever grateful for that," Alexandra said.

"I guess it's the people that you're gonna miss the most. I know everyone says it every time but it really is just a big family. I'm going to miss Emma as well, obviously, I'm definitely going to miss Emma but just all the people. It's like when you leave school... it's a big part of your family."

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Four years on from her first appearance, Alexandra said that she's "been lucky" with the storylines she has been given that have enabled her to show lots of different sides to Emma.

After achieving her goal of being cast on Coronation Street, Alexandra said the decision to leave the soap was a difficult one, but ultimately the best for her career.

ITV

"It was really difficult, even now I'm like 'What have I done?'" Alexandra said. "I know it's right for me but I can see so easily how people stay there for 20, 60 years, because it is such an amazing place to work.

"But I just wanted to play another character. As much as I've got to explore Emma in lots of different ways, there's some other people I want to try and give a go as well."

The final scene Alexandra filmed for the soap was actually Emma's exit scene, which the actress described as an emotional experience.

"It was very emotional. I was so lucky and really pleased that my last scene was my last scene, especially with Covid still lurking around – schedules have been changing – so I was lucky that that still happened for me," Alexandra said.

"I wasn't expecting it to be that emotional. I knew obviously I was going to be upset to say goodbye to everyone but as soon as the AD said, 'That's a wrap, that's Alexandra's last scene', I just burst into tears, uncontrollably, I could not stop.

ITV

"I was so overwhelmed, because of all the support of the cast and crew being there as well, being there at that moment as well, coming to say goodbye, it just really overwhelmed me, I was really upset."

As for the future, Alexandra is currently auditioning for new roles, and said she's open to anything, including theatre and musicals.

"I always wanted to be Miss Hannigan in Annie one day," Alexandra added. "But I might have to wait a little while yet, I don't think I'm quite old enough."

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV and streams on the ITV Hub.