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'Coronation Street' recast Summer Spellman as original actor quits

Summer Spellman will now be played by Harriet Bibby. (ITV/Joseph Scanlon)
Summer Spellman will now be played by Harriet Bibby. (ITV/Joseph Scanlon)

Coronation Street have confirmed the role of Summer Spellman has been recast following the original actor's departure from the soap.

The teenager was played by Matilda Freeman, however, Harriet Bibby is now taking over the role.

Freeman had starred as Summer since 2017 but has left the long-running programme for other opportunities.

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“I’d like to say thank you to my second family, the cast, crew and viewers who have supported me during my time on the cobbles," she said in a statement.

Matilda Freeman attends the British Soap Awards 2018 at Hackney Empire on June 2, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)
Matilda Freeman attends the British Soap Awards 2018 at Hackney Empire on June 2, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)

"After three and a half lovely years I felt it was time for a change and I’m excited to be starting that next chapter with a new role.”

Meanwhile, Bibby will be moving to the cobbles after enjoying roles in the BBC's Doctors and Sky's Brassic.

She said: “I am so thrilled to be joining the cast of Coronation Street. My family have watched the show for years and I already feel part of the family.

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"Matilda has wished me good luck, which was lovely! I’m looking forward to bringing Summer’s sass and sparkle to the screen.”

The character will be returning to Weatherfield to be looked after by her legal guardian Billy Mayhew and Todd Grimshaw, with Summer's recast coming just weeks after Gareth Pierce made his debut as Todd.

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The actor stepped into the role of the long-standing character following the termination of original actor Bruno Langley's contract in 2017.

Gareth Pierce has taken over the role of Todd Grimshaw. (ITV/Mark Bruce)
Gareth Pierce has taken over the role of Todd Grimshaw. (ITV/Mark Bruce)

Langley plead guilty to sexual assault after groping two women in a Manchester nightclub.

While soaps are known to recast their actors, it can sometimes be a point of contention.

Recently, ex EastEnders star John Altman criticised the BBC programme for the changing faces in Albert Square.

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