ITV Coronation Street star quits soap after 10 years on cobbles

Coronation Street's Dolly-Rose Campbell, who plays Gemma Winter, has bid farewell to the famous cobbles after a series of dramatic events. Gemma first appeared on the soap in 2014 and quickly became a fan favourite with her colourful past and the challenge of raising quadruplets.

Recently, she was left heartbroken by the death of her twin brother Paul, played by Peter Ash, who was diagnosed with MND last year and sadly passed away in September. In Monday's episode (October 21), despite her husband Chesney's (Sam Aston) concerns that it was too soon, she returned to work at The Rovers Return.

However, things proved too much for Gemma and she had to take a moment in the back of the pub, according to the Liverpool Echo. Her brother Kit Green (Jacob Roberts) comforted her and suggested she could take a break at his friend's cottage in the Lake District.

To the disappointment of fans, Gemma decided to take a break from Weatherfield and discussed the idea with Chesney, who also encouraged her to go after a difficult few months.

Coronation Street's fans are gutted to learn that Gemma will be taking a break from the drama on Weatherfield's cobbles. A post from a dedicated fan on a Corrie Facebook page read, "She is playing her character so well and going through hell.", reports Plymouth Live.

Others chimed in with understanding for the actress's need for a rest, saying, "So I'm not surprised she is having time out she just needs time out and find herself again."

Some are already wishing for her swift comeback: "Hope she comes back soon," adding a sad face emoji for emphasis.

One commenter noted how sudden the exit feels: "Seems a bit sudden."

Dolly-Rose Campbell has won hearts over time with her portrayal of Gemma. Before making her mark as an actress, Dolly had been polishing her bartending skills, which came in handy for her scenes in the Rovers Return.

Reflecting on this she once said, "I've worked behind a bar in real life, it was before Coronation Street when I worked in radio. I did hospitality and bar work."

The story behind how Dolly landed the role of Gemma Winter lends an enchanting touch to her journey. After her audition, a tour around the set led to an unexpected and fateful encounter.

In a recent interview, she recalled her experience and said: "I'd had an audition before the tour but I wasn't expecting anything. While we were walking around my friend said, 'Imagine if you got a job on it' and I was saying that would never happen. Just a couple of days later I got a call saying I had the part."