Julie Hesmondhalgh is taking a break from 'Coronation Street'.
The 42-year-old actress - who plays transsexual cafe owner Hayley Cropper on the ITV soap - will be appearing in a play in Manchester for the next few months and will be away from the Street until October.
Writing on twitter, she said: "Right that's me done. Bye bye weatherfield til October! #bitoftheatre#sicksinmouth (sic)"
Julie will be playing a leading role in a play based on the 2007 death of a student who was attacked for being a goth at Manchester's Royal Exchange.
A number of soap actors have been taking breaks from their careers recently, including 'EastEnders' legend June Brown - better known as Dot Branning - who is taking time out to write her memoirs.
However, she is unsure if she will return.
The 85-year-old star said: "My contract ended and I want to do something else. As an actress you don't want to always plod along at the same thing. I don't know how long I will be out.
"In fact I have no idea if I will go back - no one is indispensable."
