Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan has quit the ITV show after six years on the soap.

News of her departure surfaced earlier today, and now the 25-year-old actress - who plays Tina McIntyre on the Street - has confirmed that she will be moving onto pastures new in 2014.

Speaking to ITV.com, Michelle said: "I have had the most amazing six years at Coronation Street and it was such a difficult decision to leave. But I felt it was the right time for me to make the next step in my career.

"I will miss Tina and will always be grateful to ITV and Coronation Street for giving me such an amazing role to play for my first ever acting job."

After thanking the cast and crew on the soap, Keegan added: "I am very excited about what the coming months hold for Tina and what the future has in store for me."

Producer Stuart Blackburn added that there would be "more than a year of drama" before Keegan leaves Corrie, and viewers will be treated to "a powerful and gripping story".

Michelle has previously expressed an interest in trying her hand at period drama such as The Tudors or Downton Abbey.

Yesterday it was reported that she had been [uuid=67ce1d31-69e8-4aae-a6ca-7ffc6d39b826]signed off work because of a 'mystery virus'.[/uuid]