It is truly the end of an era on the cobbles, as one of Coronation Street’s most beloved couples has split – and seemingly for good this time.

Beth Sutherland (Lisa George) has been forced to call time on her 11-year relationship with Kirk Sutherland (Andy Whyment), after being blackmailed by Kit Green (Jacob Roberts).

Wednesday’s episode of the ITV soap saw Beth turn down a proposal from her long-standing partner, ahead of the character’s exit scenes later this week.

As fans know, Beth has found herself on the wrong side of corrupt copper Kit after capturing video footage him in cahoots with the shady Sid, who she had been supplying counterfeit goods to.

As she has attempted to bribe him to buy her silence, sought to beat her at her own game, uncovering Beth’s police officer son Craig Tinker’s (Colson Smith) role in covering up the death in Faye Windass’ (Ellie Leach) hit and run back in 2021.

In scenes that aired on Wednesday, Kit threatened to ruin Craig’s career by exposing the cover-up to his bosses if Beth was to do anything with the video of him.

However, he took his blackmail one step further after spotting Beth having a tearful conversation with Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard).

Deciding she was too much of a loose cannon to have around, Kit changed his terms and told her she now had to leave Weatherfield if she wanted to protect Craig.

As she prepared to say her goodbyes, Beth met with Kirk in the Rovers, apologising for her counterfeit goods scheme.

Believing they were back on, Kirk then popped the question – but was left devastated when Beth rejected him, lying that she had to leave town to start a new job at a factory in Norwich.

With actress Lisa George having now confirmed long-standing rumours she is leaving Coronation Street after 13 years in the role of Beth, it looks like it really is over for her and Kirk this time.

Speaking about her exit on Wednesday’s episode of This Morning, Lisa said: ‘It’s just