Corrie's Alexandra Mardell reveals what she stole from the set

Coronation Street star Alexandra Mardell has admitted that she took a couple of mementoes from the soap's set, so that she can always keep her character, Emma Brooker, close to her heart.

Alexandra has just departed the show after four years, with Emma sharing an emotional goodbye with her family last week after deciding to move to Australia with her new boyfriend, Jon Spear.

And Alexandra has revealed that she just couldn't resist taking a piece of Emma with her, in the form of some of her characteristically bright wardrobe.

alexandra mardell as emma brooker in coronation street

Joseph Scanlon//ITV

"I took a big pink fur coat that Emma wore on her hen do, which I will probably never wear, and her pink check skirt," the actress told The Mirror.

The star may have said goodbye to Emma for now but that doesn't mean that it was an easy decision for her, with the actress saying that she has "had an amazing time" being part of the soap's cast, particularly as she became part of the "iconic family" that is the McDonald clan.

What to Read Next

"It's still kind of surreal," she said. "Being in Corrie was always a career goal, so the fact I was lucky enough to have that opportunity – it's just ridiculous. And I'm forever grateful for it.

"I guess it's the people I'm going to miss the most. I know everyone says it, but it really is like a big family."

ITV

Of course, with Emma having been given a happy ending to her cobbles story for now, there is every chance that she could be back one day to see her family again, and Alexandra has said that this is a thought that will always be in her mind.

"Saying goodbye was hard enough. But that hope that one day, you know, there's a possibility I could go back, that kind of keeps me going," she said. "It might not be goodbye forever. You never know."

In the meantime, Alexandra is busy planning her wedding to fiancé Joe Parker, who she got engaged to in April last year, and preparing to audition for new acting roles – and she can't wait to find out what might be around the corner.

"Luckily, because Joe's an actor as well, we have a system and help each other out a lot," she said. "I'm open to anything. I'm not specifically aiming for something – TV, film, theatre, musicals – I really just want to give everything a go."

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