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
Coronation Street fans will bid farewell to a cobbles legend next week.
Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) decides to leave Weatherfield for a new life in Spain with her new man Tommy Orpington (Matt Milburn) after embarking on a streamy affair behind her husband Steve McDonald’s (Simon Gregson) back.
Steve reads a letter from Tommy inviting Tracy to move to Spain with him and hides it. Over lunch in the Bistro, Tracy admits to Amy Barlow (Elle Mulvaney) that she misses having a man in her life. Steve returns home and is taken aback to find Tracy there and as he reaches into his pocket for Tommy’s letter.
However, he quickly stops in his tracks when Tracy announces she’d like them to get back together. Tracy assures Steve that Tommy was a stupid mistake and promises she’s back for good. As Steve heads out for a celebratory bottle of wine, a subdued Tracy watches him go.
When Steve reveals that he and Tracy are back together, Dev Alahan (Jimmi Harkishin) is horrified and refuses to serve him. After suggesting that they go to the pub instead, Tracy heads out and Steve burns Tommy’s letter, determined to save his marriage. Will Steve be able to hide this from Tracy?
Later in the week, Tracy calls at No.1 for the last of her things and admits to Ken, Amy and Daniel how much she’s going to miss them. Ken Barlow (William Roache) suggests a farewell drink in the Rovers. Ken, Amy and Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) raise a toast to Tracy and wish her well with her new life in Spain as Steve buries himself in his newspaper and as daughter Amy feels for him.
Hardcore Corrie fans will know that Tracy was born on-screen during the episode broadcast on 24 January 1977. She was played by Christabel Finch until 21 November 1983. Holly Chamarette played the role from 8 July 1985 until 23 March 1988. Dawn Acton played the role from 12 December 1988 to 10 July 1995.
Acton reprised the role for two short stints in November 1996 and December 1997. She reprised the role once again on 14 March 1999 and made her final appearance as Tracy on 10 October 1999. Kate Ford took over the role from 25 December 2002 to 8 April 2007.
Ford reprised the role for a brief stint from late May to early June 2010, before returning full-time from 24 December 2010. Tracy is the daughter of Ray Langton (Neville Buswell) and Deirdre Barlow (Anne Kirkbride). Tracy never had much to do with Ray and was later adopted by Deirdre’s new husband Ken.