Jimi Mistry to leave Coronation Street...as mystery illness leaves stars bedridden

Announcing his departure on his Twitter page, the 42-year-old actor tweeted: "It's been a great ride but time to say Farewell Kal."
His character Kal Nazir is currently in a relationship with unlucky in love Leanne Battersby - and it's unknown how he will be departing the street as of yet.

Gym-owner Kal is set to be at the centre of a huge secret plot twist as Coronation Street head towards the summer months, which will see Jimi bow out of the show 18 months after joining.

As usual, show bosses are remaining tight-lipped about the storyline and won't reveal any details about his big goodbye.
Jimi said: "When I was told about this storyline I felt it was a brilliant way to say goodbye to Kal and I am really looking forward to filming my departure scenes.

"I have had a fantastic 18 months on Coronation Street but I never saw myself staying around forever, my life is in London and I enjoy playing a variety of roles."
He added: "I want to thank Stuart and the team for giving me the opportunity to be part of such a fantastic show. This is the longest I have ever been in one job and I have enjoyed it immensely."
Producer Stuart Blackburn echoed Jimi's sentiment, calling the actor "talented" and "an asset to the show".
He said: "Kal’s departure will be a big part of the fantastic spring and summer of drama on Coronation Street.
"We discussed the plot idea with Jimi and we all feel it is a great storyline which will have huge ramifications for the Nazirs and Leanne going forward."

He added: "Jimi is a talented actor and an asset to the show and we will be sorry to see him go, but this is a fantastic exit storyline there are still many twists and turns for the character in the coming months."
The news of Jimi's departure comes as it's revealed the soap is currently stretched to breaking point after a virus has left several high-profile actors bed-ridden.
Simon Gregson, who plays Steve McDonald, has been signed off for a week calling it a "deadly manflu virus".
He told Hayley Tamaddon: "It's freaking me out I'm on day three of. No sleep deadly man flu virus"
Writer Jonathan Harvey has also tweeted saying he's been struck down by the mystery illness, saying: "I've got it. It's rancid x"

Newcomer Sally Ann Matthews revealed she had it, but is now back in the studio. She said: "I had it last week. Bloody awful. Vicks on the soles of your feet."
A Street source told The Sun: "It’s been more like an infirmary than a TV set on Corrie over the past week.
"Chest infections are the worst kind of illness when it comes to a TV set as you can’t have people coughing and spluttering when the cameras are rolling."
They added: "There are contingency plans, but that doesn’t change the fact this has thrown filming into chaos."
A representative for Coronation Street has been contacted with regards this story.