My mum rang me last week, properly upset. “Have you seen about Billy leaving?”
I hadn’t. Been avoiding Corrie spoilers because I’m two weeks behind on ITVX. But there it was all over social media. Coronation Street’s Daniel Brocklebank exit confirmed. Eleven years on the cobbles and Billy Mayhew’s time is up.
Daniel posted on Instagram last Tuesday. Took a selfie in front of a picture of Ena Sharples. “That’s it. Last scene filmed. Bye-bye, Coronation Street. Bye-bye, Billy.”
‘Eleven years gone in a blink,’ he said. It feels longer when you’ve watched him through everything Billy’s been through.
How It Actually Happened
The announcement came back in May. Not Daniel’s choice, it turns out. Show bosses made the call. Budget cuts, apparently. Loads of characters are getting axed this year.
His Daniel Brocklebank partner Jordan Coulthard wasn’t having it. Went straight on Instagram Stories, calling it a “huge mistake”. Said he was heartbroken for Daniel. Can’t blame him really.
Daniel’s been proper gracious about the whole thing, though. He said he loved every minute at Corrie, never dreaded going to work, and adores everyone there. That’s class, that is. Especially when it wasn’t his decision to leave.
The exit storyline airs this festive season. They’re keeping it under wraps, but it’s meant to be dramatic. Issue-based, they’re calling it. Billy is getting tested in ways he never imagined, with faith pushed to the limit. All very mysterious.
Eleven Years Is a Proper Long Time
Billy first showed up in December 2014. Sean Tully’s new love interest. A vicar who was also gay. It was somewhat controversial at the time for some viewers, but Corrie went ahead anyway.
Daniel’s played nearly a thousand episodes since then. That’s mental when you think about it. A third of his entire acting career was spent in Weatherfield.
The storylines have been massive. Billy’s addiction to heroin. That whole thing about being involved in Susan Barlow’s death years ago. Losing Paul Foreman to motor neurone disease, which had everyone in bits.
My mum cried for about three weeks straight during Paul’s death storyline. Proper ugly crying every episode. She’s going to be beside herself when Billy actually leaves.
The Goodbye Was Emotional
The photos Daniel shared on Instagram got everyone going. One with Harriet Bibby, who plays his adopted daughter Summer. She’s crying in the picture, properly emotional.
“My final day today working with this beautiful human,” Daniel wrote. “I’ve loved playing her TV dad. What an honour it has been.”
Harriet commented back, saying what an adventure they’d had. You could tell it was genuine, not just social media nonsense. They’ve been working together for years.
The comments from other cast members poured in. Sally Carman, Andy Whyment, and Sue Devaney. All saying they’d miss him. That’s the thing about soaps, innit? You’re not just colleagues; you’re family. Eleven years together is a bond that’s real.
What Happens Next for Billy
Nobody knows exactly how Billy leaves. Is he dying? Moving away? Getting arrested? Corrie’s keeping it secret.
Some fans reckon he might be killed off because of how dramatic they’re making it sound. Others think he’ll just leave Weatherfield to start fresh somewhere else. Either way, it’s happening around Christmas.
It’s a bit gutting, really, watching a beloved character go during the festive period. Mum’s already stockpiling tissues.
The storyline started playing out weeks ago. Billy’s been struggling with everything that’s happened with Paul. Grief does terrible things to people, and Billy’s no exception.
Whatever happens, you know it’s going to be a tearjerker. Daniel’s too good an actor for it to be anything else.
Also read: Sally Ann Matthews Says Goodbye to Coronation Street
Daniel’s Moving On
He’s not sitting around moping, though. Straight into another job. Young Frankenstein the Musical at the Playhouse in Leeds.
Daniel’s excited about it. Comedy, dancing, singing. Complete opposite of playing a grieving vicar. He mentioned possibly doing tap dancing, which made me laugh because Billy definitely never did that.
“He took heroin, he never tap danced,” Daniel joked at the Inside Soap Awards back in September.
Fair play to him for being positive. A lot of actors would be bitter about getting axed after eleven years. He’s looking at it as a new chapter.
The Wider Picture at Corrie
Billy’s exit is part of a massive clear-out. Gail Platt’s leaving. Eileen Grimshaw. Craig Tinker. Daisy Midgeley. The list keeps growing.
Budget cuts are hitting soaps hard. ITV’s making changes across the board. Corrie’s had to lose characters, reduce episodes in some slots, and tighten everything up.
It’s sad, but it’s the reality of television right now. Streaming services are eating into traditional viewing. Advertising revenue is down. Something had to give.
Still doesn’t make it easier watching characters you’ve loved for years disappear from the cobbles.
What Fans Are Saying
The reaction’s been mixed, which is typical for anything Corrie-related. Some fans are devastated. Billy’s been a brilliant character, and Daniel’s played him perfectly.
Others, well, they’re not as bothered. That’s social media for you. Everyone’s got an opinion, and they’re all going to share it whether you asked or not.
My mum’s in the devastated camp. She’s already planning to record Billy’s final episodes so she can watch them again when she’s ready.
“I’m not ready to say goodbye,” she told me yesterday.
“Mum, you’ve got until Christmas to prepare.”
“That’s not nearly long enough.”
The Legacy Billy Leaves
Eleven years of Billy Mayhew gave us some incredible television. The Paul storyline alone should’ve won every award going. Raising awareness about MND, showing how it affects families, and doing it all with such care and respect.
Billy, as a character, broke ground too. An openly gay vicar dealing with real issues. Addiction. Loss. Faith struggles. All played with honesty and depth.
Daniel brought something special to the role. Made Billy feel like a real person, not just a character. That’s rare in soaps, where sometimes performances can get a bit big and shouty.
My mum’s favourite Billy moment? When he married Paul. She bawled her eyes out. Said it was one of the most beautiful things she’d ever seen on telly.
Looking Back at the Coronation Street Daniel Brocklebank Exit
It’s the end of an era, really. Corrie, without Billy, is going to feel weird for a while. Same as when any long-term character leaves.
Daniel’s given us eleven years of brilliant performances. Made us laugh, cry, and shout at the telly. That’s what good soap acting does.
His final scenes air over Christmas. Mum’s already warned me she’ll need company to watch them. Probably going to need to stock up on wine and tissues.
Whatever happens to Billy, however he leaves, you know it’s going to be memorable. Daniel wouldn’t have it any other way.
And then he’s off to Leeds to tap dance in Young Frankenstein. From grieving vicar to comedy musical. That’s some range.
Fair play, Daniel Brocklebank. You’ve been brilliant. Corrie’s going to miss you. My mum’s definitely going to miss you. Even I’ll miss Billy, and I’m two weeks behind on episodes.
Here’s to the next chapter, whatever that brings.