Coronation Street favourite set to step away from the cobbles after 20 years

It's been a very dramatic few weeks on Coronation Street after the shock factory roof collapse tragically killed Rana Habeeb.

And now it looks like there's even bigger changes in store for the cobbles, as much loved character Dev Alahan is set to make a temporary exit later this year.

Actor Jimmi Harkishin is celebrating his 20th year on the ITV soap, and he's now shared that he'll be heading on a bit of a break to do some travelling.

Speaking to Trafford newspaper Messenger, he confessed: "This is actually my 20th year at Corrie. My first appearance was on November 10, 1999, and I have loved every minute of it. I’ve been here that long that I am now an honorary Mancunian!

"Corrie bosses have very kindly let me have time off for two months to celebrate my 20th year, which I am very grateful for, so I am going to visit China and Japan."

Dev joined the soap all the way back in 1999 and has faced a long string of dramatic storylines over the years.

Earlier, despite Dev's efforts to get his partner out of the pub, Sunita's determined to stay put and flirt with Karl…

But Jimmi has now revealed his favourite Corrie moment of all time, which turns out to be his shock affair with Deirdre.

The telly star confessed: "Actually, today one of the writers reminded me of a story line she pitched about the Dev and Deirdre affair. That was really good fun to film with the late, great Anne Kirkbride. Wonderful memories."

There’s no word yet on Dev’s exit storyline yet, but the soap star previously left the show in 2015 from February to June.

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And Jimmi isn't the only Coronation Street legend celebrating a big anniversary this year, as Kym Marsh - who plays Michelle Connor - recently marked 13 years on the soap.

Taking to Instagram, she wrote: "13 years ago today I made my @coronationstreet debut!!!"

"What a 13 years that has been! Thank you so much for the great times, the things I’ve learned and the opportunities I have been given in playing Michelle Connor!!"