Coronation Street Legend Quits Weatherfield After 47 Years For A New Life In Spain

Tracy Barlow decides to leave Weatherfield for a new life in Spain with her new man Tommy Orpingtonn in Corrie next week after embarking on a steamy affair behind her husband Steve McDonald’s back

Next week, viewers of Coronation Street will say goodbye to a cobbles legend.

Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford), having started an affair behind her husband Steve McDonald’s (Simon Gregson) back, makes the decision to leave Weatherfield and start a new life in Spain with her new man Tommy Orpington (Matt Milburn).

After reading Tommy’s letter urging Tracy to go to Spain with him, Steve conceals it. Tracy tells Amy Barlow (Elle Mulvaney) that she misses having a guy in her life during lunch at the Bistro. When Steve gets home, he is surprised to see Tracy there and digs into his pocket to retrieve Tommy’s note.

But when Tracy says she wants to reunite with him, he abruptly stops motionless. Steve is reassured by Tracy that Tommy was a careless error, and she vows to return permanently. A reserved Tracy watches Steve leave for a celebratory bottle of wine.

Jimmy Harkishin’s character, Dev Alahan, is appalled to learn that Steve and Tracy have reconciled and declines to serve him. Tracy suggests that they head to the pub instead, and in an effort to keep his marriage intact, Steve destroys Tommy’s letter. Can Steve keep this a secret from Tracy?

Tracy calls No. 1 later that week to get the last of her belongings and tells Ken, Amy, and Daniel how much she will miss them. William Roache’s character Ken Barlow recommends having a last drink in the Rovers. As Steve hides himself in his newspaper and as Amy, his daughter, feels something for him, Ken, Amy, and Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) toast to Tracy and wish her well in her new life in Spain.

Devoted viewers of Corrie will be aware that Tracy was given birth on TV in the episode that aired on January 24, 1977. Christabel Finch portrayed her up until November 21, 1983. The part was portrayed by Holly Chamarette from July 8, 1985, to March 23, 1988. The part was portrayed by Dawn Acton from December 12, 1988, to July 10, 1995.

For two brief reappearances in November 1996 and December 1997, Acton returned to the role. On March 14, 1999, she returned to the role, and on October 10, 1999, she made her last appearance as Tracy. Kate Ford assumed the position on December 25, 2002, and left on April 8, 2007.

After a brief return to the position in late May and early June 2010, Ford took up the role full-time starting on December 24, 2010. Ray Langton (Neville Buswell) and Deirdre Barlow (Anne Kirkbride) are the parents of Tracy. Tracy was later adopted by Deirdre’s new husband Ken and never really interacted with Ray.