Actress talks about Hayley Cropper's Corrie exit

Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh has described her departure from the popular TV soap as the "end of a really long and lovely story for us".

She said that saying goodbye to Hayley Crocker, her character of 16 years, was "breaking my heart as well".

The actress said she was "amazed" that people have stuck with the storyline of her struggle with cancer "as much as they have".

Watch the full interview on the ITV Central website

Read: Coronation Street shows controversial right to die scene

Mental health charity Samaritans has released a statement on the upcoming on-screen suicide of Coronation Street's Hayley Cropper.

The charity says it worked extensively with the programme to "safely cover this very sensitive subject" and that "shutting down coverage of suicide is unhelpful."

Viewers will say goodbye to Hayley, played by the Derbyshire actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, on tonight's (20 January) programme.

The full statement can be read here.

For information on the issues surrounding the on screen death of Hayley Cropper:

For help and support for suicidal thoughts and feelings contact:

The Samaritans online or call 08457 90 90 90

For help and support with issues surrounding pancreatic cancer contact:

Pancreatic Cancer UK

The actress who plays Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street talks to ITV's Granada Reports about her on-screen death from pancreatic cancer and about adjusting to life after the soap opera.