Every soap character deserves an exit that's worthy of them. Whether the writers give them one or not is another matter entirely. But when dramatic departures are done well, the fans will almost forgive losing one of their beloved faves.
As we gear up for what's promised to be an action-packed and unforgettable ending for Coronation Street killer Pat Phelan this week, it's got us thinking about who else has bowed out with a massive bang. Here, we rank 14 impressive finales that won't ever fade from our memory.
14. Kim Tate (Emmerdale)
The sexy superbitch reigned at Home Farm for nearly all the '90s, delighting us all with her unscrupulous antics. For an iconic queen like Kim, quietly slipping away from the Dales just wasn't an option. Awaiting trial for a hit-and-run and needing to flee the country, Kim hatched a plan for her great escape.
Kim's stepson Chris tried to get in her way, but he was no match for her. After assaulting him, then confessing to his father Frank's murder, Kim defiantly headed over the Home Farm lawn towards an awaiting helicopter.
After confirming her identity to the pilot, Kim and young son James hopped in and off they flew. Fans still mourn her loss almost 20 years on, but let's take comfort from the fact she could return at any moment.
13. Dee Rebecchi (Neighbours)
Just to be clear – we're talking about the real Dee here. That lovely sweet nurse who gave hope to geeks across the globe when she married her housemate Toadie in 2003.
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Their romantic wedding was the stuff of dreams, but the day turned into a nightmare when the groom accidentally drove the car carrying him and his bride off a cliff on the way to their honeymoon. Fans were distraught as they watched Toadie try in vain to find his new wife in the deep blue sea, but her body was never recovered. Sob.
12. Maddie Morrison (Hollyoaks)
Queen bee Maddie's death had a touch of Hollywood horror film about it, and just watching it again makes us shudder. The school bully's fate was sealed when she got behind the wheel of a mini-bus, taking her friends to Gretna Green.
After losing control of the vehicle and crashing it into a wedding marquee, Maddie rescued herself and BFF George, but cruelly left fellow pal Neil to perish. As the bus went up in flames, its door came hurtling down from the sky, and in that horrifying split second, Mads was a goner.
11. Callum Logan (Coronation Street)
Having your character killed off during a momentous live episode guarantees you a dramatic ending, and Sean Ward couldn't have been disappointed about Callum's grisly death. The nasty yob had been terrorising the Platt family for a number of weeks leading up to his last night on earth.
But when Callum tried to assault ex girlfriend Sarah Lou, he was stopped in his tracks by a heavy blow to the head courtesy of Kylie wielding a wrench. As a final insult, Kylie and Sarah, along with a little help from David, buried the dead druggie in the foundations of Gail's granny annexe.
10. Steve Owen (EastEnders)
Back in the day, Steve was probably the biggest character in 'Enders. The blue-eyed businessman had the upper hand in most situations – he managed to successfully frame another guy for a murder he committed, for God sake – but his undoing came as a result of a bitter feud with arch-nemesis Phil.
Steve had plotted with Phil's ex Mel Owen to help her flee London with baby Lou, but their plan was foiled and Phil gave chase to Steve in his car. Disaster struck when Steve's tyre burst and he ploughed into a wall. Phil only had time to save Louise before Steve's car went up in a fireball, killing him straight away. A red-hot ending for a red-hot character.
9. Sarah Barnes (Hollyoaks)
Barnsey's daughter sure knew how to pick 'em. First her boyfriend left her for another fella, then she made the fatal error of falling for green-eyed monster Lydia Hart. Lyds wasn't happy about having to compete for Sarah's attentions with her girlfriend's mate Zoe, so as the trio prepared for a charity skydive, Lydia plotted to eliminate her rival.
Lydia deliberately cut the strings of Zoe's parachute, but her evil act didn't have the desired outcome as Sarah put on the tampered safety device and was left splattered in a field. As exits go it was really rather gruesome, but who wants to slip quietly out of the back door?
8. Katie Sugden (Emmerdale)
When Sammy Winward announced she was leaving Emmerdale after a whopping 14 years playing Katie Sugden, fans knew they were in for a treat of an exit. And it didn't fall flat. Katie, however, did fall through the rickety floorboards of a derelict barn after brother-in-law Robert tried to stop her from ruining his wedding day.
Despite her death being sort of accidental, dishonest Rob decided not to come clean about what had happened and coerced secret lover Aaron into helping him cover up the crime scene. Whilst he never served time in prison, Robert got his comeuppance in different ways, which we suppose means Katie didn't die in vain.
7. Tina McIntyre (Coronation Street)
Another big loss for the world of soap was Michelle Keegan's departure from Corrie. After her exit was announced, fans of mouthy Tina McIntyre had to wait nearly a year before the show's bosses confirmed she was being killed off.
There was a long list of suspects in the hotly anticipated storyline, which was aired during Britain's Got Talent semi-final week in 2014, with Tina's married lover Peter appearing to be the most likely candidate.
But in the end it was Carla's brother Rob who put an end to Tina's life, chucking her off a balcony first, then bashing her brains in with a piece of lead piping. How very Cluedo!
6. Brendan Brady (Hollyoaks)
Bad ass BB caused quite the stir when he arrived in 'Oaks in 2010, and rapidly become one of the most talked-about characters in soap during his three year stay. The Brendan brigade were devo when Emmett J Scanlan announced he was ready to say so long to his trademark handlebar tash, and were all hoping their man would bow out in a blaze of glory.
Well, soap exits don't get much more memorable than standing on the balcony of a nightclub, surrounded by armed police. Brendan took a bullet during his last stand, but he had the luck of the Irish on his side when he cheated death. He's currently locked up like a caged animal at her Majesty's Pleasure, but we're still waiting for his return, prison break style.
5. Maya Sharma (Coronation Street)
Kidnapping her neighbour's dog, posing as another woman and marrying a string of illegal immigrants to prevent her love rival getting the man she wanted... they didn't call her Mad Maya for nothing! The loopy lawyer's final act of lunacy was to kidnap Dev and Sunita, holding the pair hostage in their flat above the corner shop, while she set the place on fire below.
The Alahans were rescued before becoming toast, and Maya made one last attempt to finish them off under the wheels of her motor.
Unfortunately for her (and her snazzy sports car) a dustcart and brick wall were the only two things she collided with. We'll never get over that last demonic stare from Maya, blood pouring down her face. A gory, but glorious finale.
4. Tiffany Mitchell (EastEnders)
EastEnders shocked fans across the nation when they announced Walford darling Tiffany was going to meet her maker on New Year's Eve 1998. And they weren't the only ones – actress Martine McCutcheon only found out she was being written out of the soap when she overheard the news being announced over the radio! Ouch.
For one of their biggest stars on the show, the storyliners decided Tiff would get mown down by Frank Butcher's motor while chasing Grant (who was trying to kidnap Courtney) across the Square. It was a tear-jerking finish for a character the audience had taken into their hearts, and two decades on, we're still not sure we're over it.
3. Niall Rafferty (Hollyoaks)
OMG! How could we ever forget about nasty Niall? One of the finest creations Hollyoaks has ever had. The secret son of Myra McQueen arrived in the village with his heart filled with hatred for the siblings who his mother hadn't abandoned. When he did exact his revenge it was brutal and unforgiving – holding Myra and her kids hostage in an disused church, rigged with explosives and ultimately killing Tina.
Niall's own demise came a month later when he stalked ex-girlfriend Steph Cunningham up to Scotland. A cliff top fight with her brother Craig ensued, and Niall, who suddenly had an attack of the guilts over his crimes, deliberately threw himself off the rocks like some kind of defeated superhero.
2. Richard Hillman (Coronation Street)
Classic Corrie through and through, Norman Bates with a briefcase will forever be one of our all time favourite villains. Ruthless Richard stacked up quite the body count in only a matter of months – killing off business partner Duggie, ex-wife Patricia and new mum Maxine – but it was game over when Gail rumbled his crimes.
Richard decided if he was going to go down, then Gail and her kids were going with him. Plan A was to gas the family in the garage, but when that didn't work, Richard had to think on his feet and drove them into the canal. In the end, Richard only succeeded in killing himself, drowning in the icy water. Possibly the most appropriate finish for such a cold-blooded character.
1. Lucy Beale (EastEnders)
We're struggling to think of an exit which sparked as much drama as Lucy Beale's did, and on those grounds alone it has to claim our number one spot. Her eerie death by jewellery box, and being left to rot in the woods in 2014, was just the beginning of what became a far bigger storyline, with the explosive reveal of her killer during the phenomenal 30th anniversary live episode the following year.
As an extra special treat, the audience were treated to special flashback episode of that fateful Good Friday, so we got to relive Luce's last moments all over again, and see the jaw dropping moment when a kid dressed in guitar PJs confessed to murder. There's always a first time for everything!
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