Heartbreak in Coronation Street as THIS cobbles LEGEND makes tearful EXIT

There's heartbreak heading for Coronation Street this Christmas when Michelle Connor bids a sad farewell to her life in Weatherfield...

Coronation Street fans have known that Michelle Connor is set to depart the cobbles this Christmas after actress Kym Marsh quit her role in the soap earlier this year. But before Michelle goes, there is a heartbreaking twist that will leave Weatherfield shocked...

After the drama of her doomed wedding day where she outed fiancé Robert Preston's cheating in the most spectacular way, Michelle has decided to leave Coronation Street behind and start a new life somewhere else.

Coronation Street spoilers: Will Michelle Connor say “I do” to Robert? — Michelle revealed Robert's cheating at their wedding earlier this month (Picture: ITV)

But before she departs the Street, Michelle has got the small matter of selling the Bistro to see to, having taken the restaurant from Robert as part of her revenge plan against him.

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After getting her ex to sign the Bistro over to her, she puts it on the market and it doesn't take long before she gets an offer from a mystery buyer.

Coronation Street spoilers: Robert Preston hands the Bistro over to Michelle — Michelle got Robert to sign the Bistro over to her before their wedding (Picture: ITV)

But while she has no idea who she is selling the business to, Michelle doesn't have a lot of choice because she wants to leave the cobbles and get as far away from Robert as she can.

As Christmas approaches, Michelle puts her affairs in order and prepares to say goodbye to her life in Weatherfield.

But before she departs, Michelle heads to the Bistro to meet the new owner and hand over the keys.

Coronation Street spoilers: Michelle Connor waves goodbye to Weatherfield — Michelle is horrified to realise that she has sold the Bistro to Ray (Picture: ITV)

But is a horrific twist, it turns out she does know the mysterious new owner after all, because it is none other and sleazy Ray Crosby, the man who indecently propositioned her a few months ago.

Michelle is sickened to see Ray is now the proud owner of the Viaduct Bistro and is fuming that he managed to pull the wool over her eyes.

Raging, Michelle tries to trash the Bistro before she leaves, only stopping with her sabotage when Carla intervenes and talks her out of it.

Michelle breaks down in Carla's arms, horrified at everything that has happened to her in recent months. But will she still leave the cobbles knowing Ray is the one now in charge of the Bistro?

Emmerdale’s hour-long special airs at 7pm on ITV on Christmas Day.

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7pm on ITV, with an extra episode at 8pm on Thursdays.

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia.

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off.

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz!

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.