Coronation Street star's exit confirmed in emotional post after fans feared death twist

Coronation Street star, Calum Lill, who plays villain, Joel Deering, is leaving the cobbles after his character's body surfaced from the river in Monday night's episode

A huge Coronation Street character's exit has been confirmed after shocking scenes on the soap.

Viewers were stunned on Monday when villain Joel Deering's body surfaced from the river, with police confirming foul play. Before the bombshell announcement, some fans feared Joel wasn't really dead. However, after his murder was revealed, Channique Sterling-Brown, who plays the brute's ex, Dee-Dee Bailey, shared a tribute video to actor, Calum Lill on Instagram.

Featuring The Rembrandts' classic I'll Be There For You (aka the Friends" theme song), the clip showed various moments of the pair's time working together.

Her caption read: "RIP Joel Deering. You were flipping awful but you came in the form of one of my best mates and for that I’m very grateful. A year of shenanigans, endless brews, rehearsing only to get distracted and you carrying all my stuff. Thanks for the best year Cal, I wouldn't have wanted to tell DeeDee and Joel's story with anyone else. Right that's enough being nice now, we can't afford for that head of yours to get any bigger. Over and out x."

Calum commented: "Maaaaate, this set me right off! So many good memories. I’m gonna miss you so much… I’ll even miss having to carry your things everywhere."

Monday's episode saw Joel's body surface from a river - before a post mortem revealed he was in fact dead before he entered the water and this was no suicide.

DC Kit Green's (Jacob Roberts) announcement that Joel's death was now a murder investigation sent shockwaves around Weatherfield.

Corrie viewers will see some big twists this week after the murder, with a September death date set to be revealed, meaning Joel was bumped off weeks ago.

The soap has promised the storyline will be one of their biggest ever whodunnits. A number of suspects will be confirmed, with the first two announced this week. A new image reveals Ronnie Bailey and Mason Radcliffe are the key suspects, but more will be named in upcoming scenes.

Just weeks ago fans were suspicious of Dee-Dee after she began acting out of character, amid her turmoil over Joel's lies. Then there was DS Swain who appeared to be hiding an injury, with no clue as to how she got it, while there was also a text clue about Betsy which revealed Joel had threatened to kill her.

The Sun revealed in August that Calum would be leaving Weatherfield in "explosive scenes" after a year playing the character. A source said: “Calum has made a huge impact as Joel over the last year but he always knew it would be for a fixed term. He’s been great playing Joel but all good soap villains must get their comeuppance and Joel’s is coming very soon."

“He’s already landed his first job after the show and so he’ll be finished in time to start rehearsals for that. But on-screen Joel has no idea what’s coming for him as his dark secrets start to be exposed.”

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