Rita Sullivan (played by Barbara Knox) will be left utterly heartbroken as Coronation Street airs its 10,000th episode in the coming weeks as she discovers her estranged husband Dennis Tanner (Philip Lowrie) has passed away. A number of Weatherfield residents will get on board to help the cobbles stalwart pay her respects to the legendary character. By the end of the hour-long episode of the ITV soap however, one of the locals will make a life-changing decision to bid farewell to their loved ones.

Over the past couple of months, fans have watched as numerous beloved characters have made their exits from the show, either in the back of a taxi or meeting a grim demise.

Viewers usually know whether one of the popular characters is going to leave the cobbles, but for the milestone episode, bosses are keeping the identity of the departee a secret.

With so many iconic residents getting caught up in the drama in scenes set to air next week, it is sure to be a shock to who could leave.

Having suffered a turbulent ordeal over the past couple of months, could it be Rita who believes her time in Weatherfield has come to an end?

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The drama kicks off when the former Kabin owner receives a parcel containing her estranged husband’s ashes and is shocked to learn he has passed.

Dennis was one of the characters who appeared in the first ever episode of the soap, so his death will impact many of those still residing on the cobbles.

Learning Rita has been given a note to spread the ashes in Blackpool, fellow stalwart Ken Barlow (William Roache) rallies a number of his neighbours to make the trip.

Those wanting to support the pensioner include favourites such as Jenny Connor (Sally Ann Matthews), Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls), Evelyn Plummer (Maureen Lipman), Gail Platt (Helen Worth) and Mary Taylor (Patti Claire).

As the residents of the cobbles make their way to the beachside town, it’s not just Dennis’ death which is the topic of conversation.

With memories being shared, some characters will divulge harboured secrets as others clash in a comedy of errors.

Viewers will have to wait and see whether the fan favourites make it to Blackpool, but the day will lead one of them to make a huge decision about their future.

Having taken centre stage in a loneliness storyline at Christmas and now her estranged husband has died – will Rita be packing her bags?

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Will have slightly more far-reaching consequences

Iain MacLeod

Executive Producer Iain MacLeod teased a departure for the iconic character to press, including Express.co.uk, last month.

The soap boss said of her fall over the Christmas period: “It will have slightly more far-reaching consequences in terms of her perception of her own life and her role in the world and her role on Coronation Street.

“That will play out over the first couple of months of next year, culminating around February time.

“It’s a really good story and Barbara, which is always the case when you give her something big to do, she nails it.”

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However, could it be another stalwart who makes the decision to leave the cobbles after almost six decades on the soap?

Alongside Dennis, Ken has been a prominent figure in Weatherfield since the show began in 1960, so could he be bidding farewell?

The pensioner has been in a romantic relationship with Claudia Colby (Rula Lenska) for some time now, so could they leave together?

Whoever makes a departure, the ripple effects will be felt for months to come.

Coronation Street continues tonight at 7:30pm on ITV.

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